Background
He was born at Mickleton, Gloucestershire, the fifth son of Nicholas Keck, originally of Long Marston, Warwickshire, and Margaret Morris.
He was born at Mickleton, Gloucestershire, the fifth son of Nicholas Keck, originally of Long Marston, Warwickshire, and Margaret Morris.
Since he was later described as " a man who raised himself by his wits", it seems that his family lacked money and influence. During the Popish Plot, he acted for William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford, and made something of a name for himself in cases before the House of Lords. He published, anonymously, a series of law reports in 1697.
On 4 March 1689 he was named a Commissioner of the Great Seal with Sir John Maynard and Serjeant Rawlinson by the new King William III – these commissioners replaced the notorious Judge Jeffreys as Lord Chancellor, who fled as James II left the country.
Knighted the next day, Keck held office till 14 May 1690: his decision to step down was described as a great act of self-denial. He also served as Member of Parliament for Tiverton from 1691.
Despite being almost crippled by gout, he played a keen part in debate, but developed a very poor opinion of the House of Commons, calling it "a bear garden", poorly attended, and with most of the MPs who did attend being drunk or asleep. He did not stand for election in 1695, probably due to his failing health.
He died in his house in Bell Yard, off the Strand in December 1695.
Roger North wrote that Keck was by inclination a republican but would settle in default of a republic for a limited monarchy. He described him in character as "a polite, merry genius", apart from a certain "hardness" caused by his chronic gout. Keck married Mary Thorne.
He died a very rich man, although he had to provide for no less than nine daughters, including-
Catherine, who married firstly in 1680 Ferdinando Tracy, younger son of John, 3rd Viscount Tracy, who died in 1682, and secondly Edward Chute, who inherited The Vyne
Mary, who married in 1680 Thomas Vernon
Elizabeth, who married Richard Freeman, a barrister who ended his career as Lord Chancellor of Ireland
Ann, who married Richard Whitehead
Margaret, who married Thomas Barber
Maria, who married Edward Cressenor
Winifred, who married John Nicholl.
Keck was called to the bar of the Inner Temple in 1659, and was elected a bencher (a member of the governing body) in 1677.
