Just who was Lord Camden?
Most residents know that Camden was named for Lord Camden, but who was he? Well, he was really Lord Charles Pratt, who was born in 1714 and died in 1794. He was a British jurist and diplomat, Lord Chancellor of Britain (1766-1770) and the first Earl of Camden.
Before the American Revolution, Charles Pratt was popular with the American colonies. He was one of the British who opposed the British government’s American taxing policies. So, of course, we liked him.
The office that he held (Lord Chancellor) dated back more than 1,000 years ago and it was often given to clergyman whom the king trusted as his conscience and holder of his seal. That office holder once was considered one of the most important men in Britain, even higher ranking than the prime minister.
He was a member of the cabinet responsible for the administration of the courts and appointment of judges. The position also made him head of kingdom’s judiciary, as well as church commissioner who appointed the clergy and bishops. His importance was great.
Charles Pratt was born in Kensington, England, to Sir John Pratt, who was chief justice of the King’s Bench. Charles was his third son and attended Eton King’s College in Cambridge and Middle Temple Law School. In 1738, he was admitted to the bar and practiced common law. Almost 20 years later, he was knighted and appointed chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
Because of his reputation, the King made Charles Pratt Baron Camden, of Camden Place, in the county of Kent. The following year he became Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom.
In that office Pratt did well, but he became a pain to his government because he disagreed vocally with its American colonial tax policies. Because of that, he had to leave his post in 1770, but he kept on supporting the American colonies and even signed a protest of the Lords to the King.
Four years later he was appointed as President of Council until his death. In between that time he became the first Viscount Bayham.
The Pratt family title of Lord Camden descends to the Marquis’ first sons.
This information could be deeper, but I feel we are deep enough, except.. how many know where the coat of arms are in Camden, Maine, for Lord Camden?
Barbara F. Dyer has lived in Camden all of her life, so far.
More Barbara Dyer
The demise of a Camden-built vessel
Camden’s wooden boat builders were perfectionists
Building wooden boats in Camden, many years ago
Socializing and such, before television
The first years of the Camden Snow Bowl
The many moods of Camden Harbor
Demise of the Camden steamboat wharf
Curtis Island Lighthouse - the sentinel of Camden Harbor
