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149 
in equity. He began to reduce it to a system, and for this 
he is still venerated in Westminster Hall. 
Somers (1651-1716). John Somers was made chancellor 
and a peer (Baron Somers) in 1697. The Tories attacked 
him in Parliament and the king asked him to resign; he re- 
fused ; but the king ordered him to deliver up the Seal, which 
he did in 1700. Prior to this he had gone thru Trinity Col- 
lege, Oxford ; been registered at the Middle Temple and called 
to the bar; had acquired a good law practice and was one of 
the defense of the seven bishops; was chairman of the com- 
mittee of the Commons to whom the Declaration of Right was 
referred; became solicitor-general; recorder of Gloucester; 
attorney-general; and lord keeper. He was a champion of 
the Liberal party and published anonymously legal and politi- 
cal pamphlets. This hindered his promotion under Charles 
II and James II. He was impeached by the Commons, and 
dismissed by the House of Lords because of failure to prose- 
cute but retained the friendship of King William. During 
the life of Queen Anne’s husband he was obnoxious and con- 
fined himself to duties in Parliament. In 1708 he was made 
lord president of the Council. During the two years he lived 
under George I he had a place in the Cabinet without office. 
He was president of the Royal Society from 1698-1703, when 
he resigned in favor of Sir Isaac Newton. He was eloquent, 
honest, modest, a great leader of a great party, and a man 
of learning and judgment. His decisions in Chancery are re- 
ported in Vernon and P. Williams. 
Talbot (1684-1737). Charles Talbot was probably the great- 
est chancellor after Nottingham. He had a short but il- 
lustrious career upon the bench. He was sent to Oriel Col- 
lege, Oxford; entered the Inner Temple and was called to 
the bar ; acquired a leading practice in equity courts ; became 
solicitor-general, as well as a bencher and reader at the Inner 
Temple and Lincoln’s Inn; and was appointed lord chancellor 
and made Baron Talbot in 1733. His promotion was cele- 
brated by the last of the revels of the Inns of Court. He had 
intended to enter the clerical profession, but changed to the 
legal profession on the advice of Lord Chancellor Cowper. 
His father was a bishop of such extravagance that on two 
occasions his son had to pay his debts. He was a most effi- 
cient and impartial judge. Because of his patience, discrim- 
