A catalogue of notable Middle Templars, with brief biographical notices/Bell, John
Admitted 10 November, 1787.
Eldest son of Matthew Bell, of Kendal, Westmorland, where he was born 23 Oct. 1764. He graduated at Cambridge in 1786, Senior Wrangler and Smith's Prizeman. In 1790 he entered himself of Gray's Inn, and was called to the Bar in 1792. During his student days he read for some time in the chambers of Mr. (afterwards Sir Samuel) Romilly. Lord Eldon (q.v.) declared him the best lawyer at the Equity bar, although he "could neither read, write, walk nor talk," referring to certain physical and other defects. He stammered in his speech, and as regards his writing he used to say he had three hands—one which he himself could read, one which his clerk could read, and another which no one could read. He died 6 Feb. 1836. He was the writer of a pamphlet on the Alterations in the Court of Chancery (1830).