Eldon, John Scott. Earl of Eldon. Born in 1751, son of a Newcastle coal fitter. After a successful career at Oxford, entered the Middle Temple (1773), and was called to the bar (1776). Entered parliament as a supporter of Pitt (1783). Became solicitor-general (1788), and as attorney-general (1793), prosecuted Thelwall, Horne Tooke, and other revolutionary agitators. He became chief justice of the Common Pleas in 1799, and was lord chancellor from 1801 to 1806, and 1807 to 1827. He was an unbending Tory, opposing all improvements in the law or constitution. Died 1838.

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