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Sir Douglas Straight (22 October 1844 – 4 June 1914) was an English lawyer,Member of Parliament, judge and journalist.[1]
Straight was born in London and was educated atHarrow School.[1] Until 1865 he engaged in journalism, but then became a lawyer and soon developed an extensive practice, especially at theCentral Criminal Court, London.[1]
From 1870-74, Straight was a member of theHouse of Commons asConservative Member of Parliament forShrewsbury.[1] In 1879, he was made a judge of the High Court of Judicature atAllahabad in India.[1] To mark this appointment,Vanity Fair caricatured him:The Hon Mr Justice Straight, the new Judge. After thirteen years of judicial service abroad he was knighted soon after his return from India in 1892.[2]
In 1876, Straight was admitted by redemption to the Freedom of theWorshipful Company of Bowyers of the City of London. He served two terms of office as Master in 1900–1902 and 1910–12.[citation needed]
Four years later, Straight resumed work as a journalist, serving as joint editor of thePall Mall Magazine (1893–1896) and then editor of thePall Mall Gazette[1] (from 1896). He was a well known society personage during this time and as an editor he corresponded with many of the literary names of the day. Straight retired "from everything except the task of trying to enjoy himself" in 1909,[3] and died in London five years later, aged 69.[1]
In 1867, Straight wrote a pseudonymous memoir of his time at Harrow entitledHarrow Recollections. By an Old Harrovian, signing the preface with the name Sidney Daryl. This was a pseudonym he went on to use for a number of publications.[4] He wrote plays and stories and about topics that interested him. In 1868, for instance, he compiledRoutledge's Handbook of Quoits and Bowls.[4]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forShrewsbury 1870–1874 With:James Figgins | Succeeded by |
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| Preceded by | Editor of ThePall Mall Gazette 1896–1909 | Succeeded by |
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