Page:A catalogue of notable Middle Templars, with brief biographical notices.djvu/257

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SURTEES — SWYNNERTON.
237
SURTEES, ROBERT.
Historian of Durham.
1779—1834.

Admitted 20 May, 1800.

Only son of Robert Surtees of Mainsforth, Bishop Sliddleham Parish, CO. Durham. He was born in the South Bailey of the city of Durham on 1 April, 1779. On the death of his father on 14 July, 1802, he retired to Mainsforth after two years' residence at the Temple, and devoted himself to antiquarian pursuits till his death 11 Feb. 1834. His History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham appeared between 1816 and 1840.


SWAINSON, WILLIAM.
Colonial Statesman.
1809—1883.

Admitted 6 June, 1835.

Eldest son of William Swainson, merchant, of Lancaster. He was called to the Bar 8 June, 1838, and for some time practised as a Conveyancer; but in 1841 received the appointment of Attorney-General of New Zealand. There, on the introduction of the Constitution in 1854, he became Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He was a friend of Bishop Selwyn, and a promoter of that prelate's church work in the Colony. He died 1 Dec 1883, and left behind him several treatises relating to New Zealand, its history, climate, and capabilities.


SWIFT, THEOPHILUS.
Poet.
1746—1815.

Admitted 22 June, 1764.

Son of Deane Swift of Goodrich, co. Hereford (a cousin of Jonathan Swift). He was educated at Oxford, where he graduated in 1767. After his call to the Bar, 13 May, 1774, he settled in Ireland. He was of a contentious disposition, which involved him in a duel with Colonel Lennox (afterwards Duke of Richmond) and in a controversy with the Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin, by whom he was prosecuted for libel. He had also angry correspondence with Dr. Dobbin, whose daughter he affirmed had jilted him. He died in Dublin in 1815.

He was the author of several poems, including The Gamblers (1777); The Temple of Folly (1787); Thee Female Parliament (1780); An Essay on Rime (1791); and he supplied information to Sir Walter Scott for his Life of Dean Swift.


SWYNNERTON, Sir JOHN.
Lord Mayor.
d. 1616.

Admitted 3 August, 1606.

His parentage is not given in the Register, but he was the son and heir of John Swynnerton of Dudleston, Shropshire. He was elected Alderman of Cripplegate 22 June, 1602, chosen Sheriff two days later, and knighted on. 26 July, 1603. He was a Merchant Taylor, and was Master of the Company in the year 1607, when they entertained James I. and his Queen. It was for this entertainment that God Save the King was written by Dr. John Bull. He was Lord Mayor in 1612. He was buried in the church of St. Mary Aldermanbury, in which parish he resided, on 10 Dec. 1616. By his will a rentcharge on an estate near Colchester was left for the distribution of bread among the poor of the parish of St. Alphege, Cripplegate. On the same day Sir Henry Rowe, Sir Clement Scudamore, both Aldermen, became members of the Inn. The former was the son of Sir Thomas Rowe, who was Lord Mayor in 1568, and himself filled the office in 1607.