Background
Drinkwater came from an old Liverpool family and was born on 28 March 1812.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
William Drinkwater
Edit ProfileEducation
The long European peace, which followed the Battle of Waterloo, resulted in many English children being sent to France for education, among them William Leece Drinkwater, who attended Angoulëme College and became fluent in French. He then attended the Royal Institution School in Liverpool and then Street John"s College, Cambridge. He graduated with a Bachelor degree in 1834 and later took an Master of Arts degree.
Career
He was called to the English Bar (Inner Temple) in 1837 and subsequently practised in the Northern circuit acting as a reporting barrister in the Common Pleas Division. Ten years later Drinkwater was appointed Second Deemster of the Isle of Manitoba, and eight years later First Deemster. As a judge his record was one of which any man would have had good reason to be proud.
His profound knowledge of both English and Manx law, his common sense and his impectable impartiality made him almost the perfect judge.
In politics he was a conservative. He was also very independent and this independence often brought him into conflict with Sir Henry Loch, who was very autocratic in his methods and ruled Legislative Council with a rod of iron.
In 1877 on the recommendation of Lieutenant Governor Sir Henry Loch he was knighted. In the autumn of 1897 he resigned his Deemstership and retired from public life.
After retiring from the bench and Legislature, Drinkwater continued to take a great interest in the Isle of Manitoba Hospital being Chairman of the Committee.
He died on 22 May 1909 and his funeral was a private affair with only seven family members present. First Deemster, 1855–1897
Second Deemster, 1847–1855.
Membership
His position as Deemster entitled him to a seat in the Legislative Council and his record as a member of the Legislature was as distinguished as that of his career as a judge. Drinkwater was the only member of the Council willing to put up a fight and seldom came off second best.
