William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield (1705-1793), Judge

Sitter in 15 portraits
Lord Chief Justice, 1756-88; architect of modern commercial law and marine insurance. Known for his eloquence, he was a firm opponent of Chatham and upheld the absolute dominion of Great Britain over the colonies. In a pioneering judgement in 1772, he held that English Law did not recognise the state of slavery. His tolerance towards Roman Catholics led the mob to burn his town house during the Gordon Riots of 1780.