Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Maugham, Robert
MAUGHAM, ROBERT (d. 1862), first secretary to the Incorporated Law Society, was admitted a solicitor in 1817, after serving his articles with Mr. Barrow of Threadneedle Street. In 1825 he urged, in conjunction with Bryan Holme, the formation of the Incorporated Law Society. He became secretary of a committee to report on the scheme, and the formal establishment of the society (1827) and its incorporation (1831) were the outcome of his labours. He continued to act as secretary and solicitor to the society during the rest of his life. He endeavoured in other ways to advance the interests of his profession, and was the author of several treatises which obtained a wide popularity. In 1830 he founded the ‘Legal Observer,’ of which he continued sole proprietor and editor until 1856, when it was merged in the ‘Solicitors' Journal and Reporter.’ He did much to promote the Attorneys and Solicitors Acts (1843 and 1860), and he was examined by the select committee on legal education (1846). In 1856 the members of the Law Society subscribed 600l. for a testimonial to him. He died on 16 July 1862, and was buried on 22 July at Nunhead cemetery.
Maugham's best-known works are: 1. ‘A Treatise on the Principles of the Usury Laws; with Disquisitions on the Arguments adduced against them by Mr. Bentham and other Writers, and a Review of the Authorities in their Favour,’ London, 1824, 8vo. See also the ‘Pamphleteer,’ vol. xxiii. 2. ‘A Treatise on the Laws of Literary Property, comprising the Statutes and Cases relating to Books, Manuscripts, Lectures,’ &c., London, 1828, 8vo. He published also: 3. ‘A Treatise on the Law of Attornies,’ &c., London, 1825, 8vo. 4. ‘A Complete Collection of the Statutes and Rules and Orders of Court relating to Attornies,’ &c., London, 1839, 8vo.
[Solicitors' Journal and Reporter, vi. 699, 727; Report from Select Committee on Legal Education, 1846, pp. 158–68.]