14 Facts About Charles Yorke

Charles Yorke PC was briefly Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.

Charles Yorke's father was Lord Chancellor, and he began his career as a Member of Parliament.

Charles Yorke served successively as Solicitor-General and Attorney-General for several governments, during which he was best known for writing what became the Quebec Act.

Charles Yorke was appointed Lord Chancellor over his objections, but he committed suicide only three days after taking the post.

Charles Yorke's father being at this time Lord Chancellor, Yorke obtained a sinecure appointment in the Court of Chancery in 1747, and entered Parliament as member for Reigate, a seat which he afterwards exchanged for that for the University of Cambridge.

Charles Yorke quickly made his mark in the House of Commons, one of his earliest speeches being in favour of his father's reform of the marriage law that led to the Marriage Act 1753.

Charles Yorke resigned with Pitt in 1761, but in 1762 became Attorney-General under Lord Bute.

Charles Yorke continued to hold this office when George Grenville became Prime Minister, and advised the government on the question raised by John Wilkes's The North Briton.

Charles Yorke refused to describe the libel as treasonable, while pronouncing it a high misdemeanour.

Charles Yorke supported the repeal of the Stamp Act, while urging the simultaneous passing of the Declaratory Act.

Charles Yorke had explicitly pledged himself to Rockingham and his party not to take office with Grafton.

The King exerted all his personal influence to overcome Charles Yorke's scruples, warning him finally that the Great Seal if now refused would never again be within his grasp.

Charles Yorke went to his brother's house, where he met the leaders of the Opposition, and feeling at once overwhelmed with shame, fled to his own house, where three days later he committed suicide.

Charles Yorke's wife was heiress to Tyttenhanger House, near St Albans, Hertfordshire.