Godfrey Lill (born 1719, died 1783 in Enniskillen) was an Irish politician, Solicitor-General for Ireland, and judge of the

Court of Common Pleas (Ireland) The Court of Common Pleas was one of the principal courts of common law in Ireland. It was a mirror image of the equivalent court in England. Common Pleas was one of the four courts of justice which gave the Four Courts in Dublin, which is still ...

. He became the Member of Parliament for Fore in 1761 and

Baltinglass Baltinglass, historically known as Baltinglas (), is a town in south-west County Wicklow, Ireland. It is located on the River Slaney near the border with County Carlow and County Kildare, on the N81 road. Etymology The town's Irish name, ''Bea ...

in 1768. He was appointed as Solicitor-General in 1770, and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1774.

Early life

He was born in Dublin, third son of Thomas Lill. He was educated at the

University of Dublin The University of Dublin ( ga, Ollscoil Átha Cliath), corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dubl ...

, where he was a scholar in 1737: he took his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1739 and his Master's degree in 1741. He was considered one of the finest students of his generation. He entered Middle Temple in 1738, and was called to the Irish bar in 1743.Ball p.217

Family

He married Mary Bull, daughter of Nathaniel Bull of Surrey and had two daughters, Mary who married William Brereton, and Sarah who married Andrew Stewart, 1st Earl Castle Stewart. His father-in-law was an associate of the Duke of Newcastle, and Godfrey's rise to power is generally thought to have been due to the connection. He became Master in Chancery 1749-1760,

King's Counsel In the United Kingdom and in some Commonwealth countries, a King's Counsel ( post-nominal initials KC) during the reign of a king, or Queen's Counsel (post-nominal initials QC) during the reign of a queen, is a lawyer (usually a barrister or ...

in 1760, and Third Serjeant in 1767.Ball p.217

Character

He was a skilful orator, nicknamed "Smooth Godfrey" but in his career was often accused of poor judgement, hesitating before accepting a position on the bench, and refusing twice to become Chief Justice.Ball pp.163-4

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lill, Godfrey 1719 births 1783 deaths Irish MPs 1761–1768 Irish MPs 1769–1776 Solicitors-General for Ireland Justices of the Irish Common Pleas Members of the Parliament of Ireland (pre-1801) for County Westmeath constituencies Members of the Parliament of Ireland (pre-1801) for County Wicklow constituencies Serjeants-at-law (Ireland)