BLACKSTONE, SIR William, English lawyer, and the most popular writer on the laws and constitution of his country: b. London, 10 July 1723; d. 14 Feb. 1780. He was educated at the Charterhouse, whence in 1738 he was removed to Pembroke College, Oxford. He was much distinguished, both at school and at the university. Having chosen the profession of the law, he was in 1741 entered at the Middle Temple, and on this occasion published the ad mired verses called the 'Lawyer's Farewell to His Muse,) which appeared in (Dodsley's Mis cellany.' In 1744 he was elected fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and in 1746 was called to the bar, and commenced the practice of law. Being deficient in the art of elocution, and not possessed of the popular talents of an advocate, his progress was slow. Having attended the courts of law at Westminster for seven years without success, he determined to quit the practice of hisprofession and retire to his fellowship at Oxford. The system of education in English universities makes no provision for teaching the laws and constitution of the country, Blackstone undertook to remedy this defect by a course of lectures on that important subject; and the manner in which he executed the task has conferred a lasting distinction on Oxford. His first course was delivered in 1753, and was repeated for a series of years with increasing effect and reputation. These lectures doubtless suggested to Mr. Viner the idea of founding, by his will, a liberal establishment in the University of Oxford for the study of the common law; and Blackstone was appropri ately appointed the first Vinerian professor.
His engagements at Oxford did not prevent his occasional practice as a provincial barrister; and in 1754, being engaged as counsel in a contested election for the county of Oxford, he was led into considerations on the elective franchise, which produced his work entitled 'Consideration on Copyholders' (1758). In 1759 he published a new edition of the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest, with an historical preface; and during the same year, the reputation which he had obtained by his lectures induced him to resume his attendance at Westminster Hall, when business and the honors of his profession soon crowded in upon him. In 1761 he was elected member of Parliament for Hindon, Wilts, made king's counsel and solicitor-general to the Queen. About this time he married, and thereby losing his fellowship, was appointed principal of New Inn Hall (1761) which office he resigned in 1766. In 1765 he published the first volume of his 'Commentaries on the Laws of England' ; a work of greater merit than any which had yet appeared on the subject, and which has brought him lasting fame. He was returned for Westbury in 1768. The real merit and talents of Blackstone, backed by political influence, now made him an object of minis terial favor, and he was offered the post of solicitor-general in 1770, and, declining it, was made one of the justices of common pleas, which station he held until his death, in his 57th year.