Frederic Thesiger Chelmsford was a lord chancellor of England.
Background
Frederic Thesiger Chelmsford was the third son of Charles Thesiger, and was born in London on the 15th of April 1794.
His father, collector of customs at St Vincent's, was the son of a Saxon gentleman who had migrated to England and become secretary to Lord Rockingham, and was the brother of Sir Frederic Thesiger, naval A. D. C. to Nelson at Copenhagen.
Career
Young Frederic Thesiger was originally destined for a naval career, and he served as a midshipman on board the " Cambrian " frigate in 1807 at the second bombardment of Copenhagen. His only surviving brother, however, died about this time, and he became entitled to succeed to a valuable estate in the West Indies, so it was decided that he should leave the navy and study law, with a view to practising in the West Indies and eventually managing his property in person. Another change of fortune, however, awaited him, for a volcano destroyed the family estate, and he was thrown back upon his prospect of a legal practice in the West Indies.
He accordingly joined the home circuit, and soon got into good practice at the Surrey sessions, while he also made a fortunate purchase in buying the right to appear in the old palace court (see Lord Steward).
In 1834 he was made king's counsel, and in 1835 was briefed in the Dublin election inquiry which unseated Daniel O'Connell.
In 1840 he was elected M. P. for Woodstock.
In 1844 he became solicitor-general, but having ceased to enjoy the favour of the duke of Marlborough, lost his seat for Wood- stock and had to find another at Abingdon.
During this period he enjoyed a very large practice at the bar, being employed in many causes cilebres.
Againin 1866, on Lord Derby cominginto office for the third time, Lord Chelmsford became lord chancellor for a short period.
In 1868 Lord Derby retired, and Disraeli, who took his place as prime minister, wished for Lord Cairns as lord chancellor.
Lord Chelmsford was very sore at his supersession and the manner of it, but, according to Lord Malmesbury he retired under a compact made before he took office.
Connections
Lord Chelmsford married Anna Maria Tinling. They left four sons and three daughters.