Sir William LeePC (2 August 1688 – 8 April 1754) was a British jurist and politician.
He was the second son ofSir Thomas Lee, 2nd Baronet. He matriculated atWadham College, Oxford in 1704, shortly after entering theMiddle Temple; he did not take a degree, but wascalled to the bar in 1710. Member of Parliament forWycombe from 1727 until 1730, he gave up the seat when he became aJustice of the King's Bench.[1]
Lee wasLord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 8 June 1737 until his sudden death in 1754. He was appointed formally asChancellor of the Exchequer as a temporary expedient on 8 March 1754, whenHenry Pelham died, with his brother SirGeorge Lee asUnder Treasurer of the Exchequer, until 6 April, his own death.[1]
Lord Campbell noted that Lee "certainly stood up for the rights of woman more strenuously than any English judge before or since his time".
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forWycombe 1727 – 1730 With:Harry Waller | Succeeded by |
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| Preceded by | Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench 1737–1754 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chancellor of the Exchequer 1754 | Succeeded by |
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