HENRY

henry, 2nd earl bathurst (1714-1794), was the eldest surviving son of the 1st earl. educated at balliol college, oxford, he was called to the bar, and became a k.c. in 1745. in april 1735 he had been elected member of parliament for cirencester, and was rewarded for his opposition to the government by being made solicitor-general and then attorney-general to frederick, prince of wales. resigning his seat in parliament in april 1754 he was made a judge of the court of common pleas in the following month, and became lord high chancellor in january 1771, when he was raised to the peerage as baron apsley. having become earl bathurst by his father's death in september 1775, he resigned his office somewhat unwillingly in july 1778 to enable thurlow to join the cabinet of lord north. in november 1779 he was appointed lord president of the council, and left office with north in march 1782. he died at oakley grove near cirencester on the 6th of august 1794. bathurst was twice married, and left two sons and four daughters. he was a weak lord chancellor, but appears to have been just and fair in his distribution of patronage.