William Hepburn Cozens-Hardy, 2nd Baron Cozens-Hardy was a British Liberal politician and lawyer
Background
Cozens-Hardy was the eldest son of Herbert Cozens-Hardy, 1st Baron Cozens-Hardy and Maria Hepburn. The Barony was created in 1914 and William succeeded as 2nd Baron on the death of his father in 1920. In 1895, he married Gertrude Lilian the eldest daughter of Colonel Sir William Everett Knight Commander of the Order of Street Michael and Saint George.
Education
William was educated at University College School in Hampstead where he was leader of the school debating society and Captain of School. He then went up to, Oxford where he took his degree with classical honours.
Career
He was then appointed a judge and eventually became Master of the Rolls. They had one daughter. Like his father, William went into the law.
He was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1893 and took silk in 1912.
He was made a Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn in 1916. He also sat as a Justice of the Peace in Norfolk.
In 1913 he was offered the post of Chief Justice of Bengal but refused for private reasons. Throughout the four years of the First World War, he was a Commander in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving on the Admiralty War Staff, attached to the Intelligence Department.
He was awarded the Italian Order of Street Maurice and Street Lazarus.
He was knighted in 1912. He was elected as Liberal Member of Parliament for South Norfolk at the 1918 general election. Although he stood as a Coalition Liberal at that election he did not receive the Coalition coupon.
One source indicates this was because he was late entering the field
He then chose to take the Coalition whip in Parliament. Cozens-Hardy was a pioneer of motoring.
This love of cars was the cause of his death as he was killed in a motor accident at Bucchof, Starnberg in Bavaria on 25 May 1924 aged 55.
Politics
Cozens-Hardy also followed his father in his political affiliation.
Membership
31st United Kingdom Parliament]
Herbert Cozens-Hardy was a lawyer and Liberal Member of Parliament for North Norfolk from 1885-1899. While at Oxford University he was involved in Liberal politics, being a member of the Russell Club and he was President of the Union.