Maine, Henry Sumner, 1822-1888

The jurist Henry James Sumner Maine was born on 15 August 1822. His childhood was spent in Jersey and in Henley-on-Thames. He was educated at Christ's Hospital, London, and at Pembroke College, Cambridge. From 1845 to 1847 he was a Junior Tutor at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and in 1847 he became Regius Professor of Civil Law. In 1850, Maine was called to the Bar and in 1852 became Reader in Roman Law and Jurisprudence at the Inns of Court. In 1862 he was made a legal member of the Viceroy's Council of India, serving under Lord Elgin, Lord Lawrence, and Lord Mayo. He returned to Britain in 1869 and became Professor of Jurisprudence at Oxford University. Maine was knighted in 1871, being awarded Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, and he was given a seat on the Council of India. In 1877 he was chosen as Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and in 1887 was appointed to the Chair of International Law at Cambridge. His publications include Ancient law: its connection with the early history of society and its relation to modern ideas (1861), Village communities (1871), Popular government (1885), and International law (1888). His Ancient law was the starting point of the study of jurisprudence for some time afterwards. Sir Henry James Sumner Maine died in Cannes on 3 February 1888.

From the guide to the Letters of Sir Henry James Sumner Maine (1822-1888), 187001884, (Edinburgh University Library)

Maine was Regius Professor of Civil Law at Cambridge University (1847-1854), served as legal member of council in India to codify Indian law (1862-1869), as chair of comparative jursiprudence at Oxford (1869-1878), master of Trinity Hall at Cambridge (1877-1888) and professor of international law at Cambridge (1887-1888).

From the description of Letter to Paul Viollet, 30 June 1873. (Harvard Law School Library). WorldCat record id: 234339334