Person Somers; John (1651 - 1716); Baron Somers of Evesham; lawyer and politician Somers John lawyer and politician 1651 - 1716 British Male Whiteladies, Claines, Worcester, England, Europe 4 March 1651 16510304 Brookmans Manor, near North Mimms, Hertfordshire, England, Europe 26 April 1716 17160426 Burial: North Mimms parish church, Hertfordshire, England, Europe

Severn Stoke, Worcestershire; Pump Court, Middle Temple, London; Powys House, Lincoln's Inn Fields (1693-); 21 St James's Square, London (1700) Brookmans Manor, Hertfordshire (1701-); 28 Leicester Square (1701-);

Barrister Education: King's School, Worcester; Walsall Grammar School, Staffordshire, and Mr Woodhouse's School at Sheriff Hales, Shropshire; Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1667); Middle Temple (admitted 1669) Career: Called to the Bar (1676); Standing Counsel to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester (1681); junior counsel for the defence of the seven non-juror bishops (1688); MP for Worcester (1689-1693); Commissioner for Preventing the Export of Wool (1689-1692); Chairman, Committee of Ways and Means (1689-1693); Commissioner for Assessment for Worcester and Worcestershire (1689-1690), and for the Middle Temple (1690); Bencher of the Middle Temple (1689); Solicitor General (1689-1692); Chairman of the Supply Committee (1690-1693); Recorder of Gloucester (1691); Attorney General (1692-1693); Privy Councillor (1693-1702, 1708-death); Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and Speaker of the House of Lords (1693-1697); one of the Lords Justices (1695-1699); Lord Chancellor (1697-1700); impeached by the House of Commons (1698) but no one appeared on the day of the trial, so the charge was dismissed; Commissioner for the Union with Scotland (1706); Lord President of the Council (1708-1710); Custos Rotulorum for Worcestershire (1715-death) Honours: Kt 1689; Baron Sommers of Evesham 1697 Parents: John Somers and Catharine Severne; succeeded his father 1681 Siblings: four sisters, incl. Mary Cocks (née Somers); Elizabeth Jekyll (née Somers) Somers was an active member of parliament during his political and legal career and in 1689 demonstrated clear support for William III's succession to the throne. He was additionally involved in the committee appointed to drawing up what would become the Bill of Rights, in which he could contribute his interest in the history of the constitution. Upon his impeachment, he was accused of multiple offenses, including passing grants of Irish land to royal favourites and his own benefit. He was ultimately acquitted in 1701. Through his membership of the so-called Kit-Cat Club, he remained in contact with prominent whig literary men. Overall, his knowledge of the constitution and political achievements are highly regarded in terms of securing the union with Scotland and the Hanoverian succession. Royal Society roles: PRS 1698-1703 Fellow 30/11/1698 Somers was elected Fellow the day he was chosen President but was otherwise not particularly active within the Society Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; GEC; Foster; MT; Henning; ODNB Somers P0121.jpg ©The Royal Society International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH7927 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-9748 4 Mar 1650 or 1651 - 26 Apr 1716 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 17/03/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA5503 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 28/03/2023 RS_NET\JonathanB Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/46796537 33828b13-83cc-4e9a-9fb8-1cfee9747a56