Montagu, Basil

Epithet: KC 1835

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000750.0x0001a2

Epithet: writer

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000570.0x00037e

Basil Montagu (1770-1851), legal and miscellaneous writer, was born on 24 April 1770. He attended Charterhouse and Christ's College, Cambridge (B.A., 1790; M.A., 1793), before becoming a barrister at Gray's Inn in 1798. He was appointed commissioner in bankruptcy in 1806, and king's counsel and accountant-general in bankruptcy in 1835. He edited the works of Francis Bacon between 1825 and 1837, and also wrote on bankruptcy. He died at Boulogne on 27 November 1851.

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was born on 22 January 1561. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, 1573-1575, before he was admitted to Gray's Inn in 1576. He served as a member of parliament, and was appointed queen's counsel in 1596. Bacon was one of those appointed to investigate the rebellion of the Earl of Essex, and helped to bring about his conviction in 1601. He was knighted by James I in 1603, and was confirmed in the office of king's learned counsel in 1604. Subsequently he was appointed attorney-general, 1613, privy councillor, 1616, lord-keeper, 1617, and lord chancellor, 1618. He was made Baron Verulam in 1618, and Viscount St Albans in 1621. He fell from power in 1621, after charges of bribery were brought against him in the House of Lords. Bacon wrote many philosophical, literary and professional works. He died on 9 April 1626.

From the guide to the Basil Montagu: Papers concerning Francis Bacon, c. 1630-1831, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)