Hardinge Stanley Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury (1823-1921), Judge

Sitter associated with 29 portraits
Called to the Bar in 1850, Giffard developed a large law practice at the Central Criminal Court. He was elected an MP in 1877. After the defeat of the Conservatives in 1880, Giffard became more prominent in parliament, while his practice at the bar also expanded. His reputation rests on his time as Lord Chancellor. He was first appointed to this post in 1885, but eight months later the government went out of office. He resumed the office the following year, for six years and then for a further ten years from 1895 until he retired in 1905. In total he held this office for seventeen years. Giffard is also remembered for his complete digest of The Laws of England (1905-16), a major reference work published in many volumes.