Hale, Sir

MATTHEW, learned English jurist; born 1609. After completing his education at Oxford, he was admitted to the bar and became, succe ively, counsel for Lord Str afford, Archbiship of Laud, and, in 1647, for the eleven members of the House of Commons whose impeachment was demanded by the army. In 1659 he entered parliament, and after filling a minor judgeship was appointed, in 1671, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench. He left behind him the reputation of being one of the ablest and most incorruptible men who ever wore the ermine. His chief works are History of the Pleas of the rorn , a work of great authority, and the History of the Common Law (6th ed., 8vo., London, 1820). Died in 1676.