UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Corresponence of James McNeil Whistler
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John Holker, 1828-1882

Nationality: English
Date of Birth: 1828
Place of Birth:
Date of Death: 1882.05.24
Place of Death:

Identity:

Sir John Holker was a lawyer, QC, and Attorney General.

Life:

Sir John Holker, then Attorney General, was the counsel for John Ruskin in the Whistler v Ruskin trial in 1878. Born in Lancashire, he was called to the bar in 1854 and went on to practise on the northern circuit. He became QC in 1866 and developed a substantial and lucrative practice specialising in patent law. In 1880 he was elected Conservative MP for Preston and appointed Solicitor-General by Disraeli soon afterwards.

Bibliography:

Dictionary of National Biography, on-line edition (accessed 6 August 2004).