Roger North

Roger North (born Sept. 3, 1653, Tostock, Suffolk, Eng.—died March 1, 1734, Rougham, Suffolk) was an English lawyer, historian, and biographer, known primarily for his biographies of three of his brothers, Francis, Dudley, and John, and for his own autobiography.

In the family tradition, North was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, and intended for a career in the law. He left Cambridge before finishing his studies, however, and completed his education at the Middle Temple, London. In 1675 he began to practice law.

North’s practice was successful and varied. In 1678 he was appointed steward to the See of Canterbury. In 1684 the Duke of York (later James II) made him solicitor general, and the following year he entered Parliament. North was thus in constant contact with the great jurists and statesmen of his time.

In 1690 North purchased an estate in Norfolk, and six years later he married. He retired from official legal practice to pursue the life of a country gentleman, although he was frequently called upon by his neighbours to render judgments and arbitrate disputes. To vindicate an unfair portrayal of his brother Francis, he wrote The Life of Francis North; this was followed by biographies of Sir Dudley North and John North. Neither the biographies nor his autobiography was published until after his death.