John Somers, 1st Baron Somers
A masterful Whig lawyer and statesman who quietly engineered the constitutional foundations of post-revolutionary Britain.
1651–1716 (age 65)·English jurist, statesman and peer·Birthday: March 4
Biography
John Somers rose from a solid but unspectacular legal practice to become one of the most indispensable figures of England's Glorious Revolution. His sharp mind first captured public attention during the dramatic trial of the Seven Bishops in 1688, where his defense arguments showcased a potent blend of legal principle and political savvy. In the turbulent years that followed, he became William III's trusted advisor, a draftsman of laws, and eventually Lord Chancellor. Somers was not a flamboyant orator but a backroom architect. His greatest legacy lies in the patient, detailed work of statecraft: helping to draft the 1689 Bill of Rights, steering the complex negotiations that led to the 1707 Act of Union with Scotland, and securing the Protestant succession through the 1701 Act of Settlement. He navigated the vicious party politics of Queen Anne's reign with a lawyer's caution, often more influential from the sidelines than from the cabinet table, leaving a constitutional framework that endured for centuries.
#1 When John Was Born
The biggest hits of 1651
John's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1651Born
1656Started school
1664Became a teenager
1667Could drive
1669Could vote
1672Turned 21
1681Turned 30
1691Turned 40
1701Turned 50
1711Turned 60
1716Died at 65
Key Achievements
- Served as a leading defense counsel in the landmark 1688 trial of the Seven Bishops, defending them against James II.
- Played a key role in drafting the Declaration of Right, which became the basis for the 1689 Bill of Rights.
- As Lord Chancellor under William III, he was instrumental in the political and legal settlement following the Glorious Revolution.
- Helped architect the 1707 Acts of Union that created the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Did You Know?
His collection of manuscripts and books formed a significant part of the foundation of the British Museum's library.
Somerset House in London is named after him, built on the site of his former riverside mansion.
Despite his high office, he was impeached by the House of Commons in 1701, though the charges were later dismissed.
“The law is not a weapon for the Crown but a shield for the subject.”
