Sir Andrew Richard Scoble, (1831–17 January 1916) was an English lawyer, politician and judge.
Family Andrew Scoble was born in London in 1831. His father was John Scoble, an English Congregational minister and later Canadian politician who was active in the British abolitionism movement from the 1830s to the 1850s, including assisting the integration of escaped American slaves into Canada. His brother, Thomas Clarkson Scoble, was an early advocate of the Hudson Bay Railway in Manitoba."Scoble, John", Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Accessed 7 January 2023.
In 1863, Scoble married Augusta Hariette Nicholson."Scoble, Right Hon’ble Sir Andrew Richard," The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915) by C. Hayavadana Rao
Education and professional life Scoble was educated at the City of London School and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1856.
From 1870 to 1877, he served as the Advocate-General of Bombay, in which capacity he appeared regularly before the Bombay courts and served as an ex-officio member of the Bombay Legislative Council. He also served a one-year term as Dean of Law at the University of Bombay in 1871 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1876.Bombay University Calendar for the Year 1879-80, p. 160.
In his capacity as Advocate General, he led the prosecution in a notable state trial of Malhar Rao, Gaekwar Bahadur of Baroda, who was charged with attempting to poison the British Resident, Colonel Robert Phayre. The trial, before a special six-member Commission, lasted five weeks and ended in a split decision: the three British members were in favour of conviction, two of the Indian members held the prosecution was not proven, and the third Indian member voted for an acquittal. The Government resolved the issue by deposing the Gaekwar in favour of his twelve-year-old nephew, on the basis of alleged misgovernment."The Wonders of Asia", The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), 18 July 1911, p. 11.
From 1886 to 1891, Scoble was law member of the Council of the Governor-General of India and was responsible for introduction of the Age of Consent Act, 1891 in the house which eventually paved the way for the age of consent for sexual intercourse for all girls, married or unmarried, to be raised from ten to twelve years in all jurisdictions, its violation subject to criminal prosecution as rape., pages 502–503. He was made a Companion of the Order of the Star of India in 1889 and the next year elevated to a Knight Companion of the order.
Political activity In 1886, Scoble stood unsuccessfully for the Conservative Party in a by-election in the constituency of Hackney South, coming in second, behind the Liberal candidate, Sir Charles Russell.
On his return to Britain, he was Conservative Member of Parliament for Hackney Central from 1892 until 1900."Death of Sir A. Scoble", The Law Journal, 21 January 1916.
In Parliament, he supported the proposal for leasehold enfranchisement in London, which would broaden the franchise to include tenants in leaseholds, a proposal advocated by Lord Randolph Churchill and other Conservatives.Alex Windscheffel, Popular Conservatism in Imperial London, 1868-1906, p. 74, n. 140. He was appointed a member of the Royal Commission on Indian civil and military expenditure. In 1899, he served as Treasurer of Lincoln's Inn.
Judicial career After leaving Parliament, Scoble was appointed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1901.The London Gazette: no. 27385. p. 8714. 10 December 1901.
Death Scoble was pre-deceased by his wife, Lady Augusta, who died in 1904. Scoble himself died at his residence, Chivelston, Parkside, Wimbledon Common, on 17 January 1916.
Publications
Guizot’s History of English Revolution (translation).
Mignet’s History of Mary Queen of Scots (translation).
References
External links