LEWIS, HUBERT (1825-1884), jurist;
second son of Edward Clapham Lewis of Ripon, Yorks. Educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, he was called to the Bar from the Middle Temple in May 1854. He had an extensive practice as a conveyancer but his reputation was largely based on his legal writings. These included Principles of Conveyancing, 1863; Principles of Equity Drafting, 1865; preceded by an edition of Goldsmith's Equity in 1862. His most notable achievement, however, was the publication in 1889 of a posthumous work, The Ancient Laws of Wales, edited by (Sir) John Edward Lloyd, then a lecturer at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. The value of this work as a pioneer study in Welsh jurisprudence — and particularly as an attempt at a comparative study of institutions — has never been adequately appreciated. Lewis d. in retirement, at Margate, 6 March 1884.
Bibliography:
- D.N.B.;
- Hutchinson, A Catalogue of Notable Middle Templars, 1902;
- F. Boase, Modern English Biography, 1897.
Author:
Professor Thomas Jones Pierce, M.A., F.S.A., (1905-1964), Aberystwyth
