John Charles Bigham, 1st Viscount Mersey (1840-1929), Jurist and politician

Sitter in 2 portraits
Lord Mersey was called to the Bar in 1870 and in 1890 he was selected to become a judge. After the sinking of the Titanic he was appointed commissioner of the British inquiry. The press described him as autocratic but praised his objectivity. Lord Mersey concluded that the Titanic's speed had been excessive but that the tragedy was the result of mistakes rather than negligence.