The “Pope” of Holland House
John Whishaw to Thomas Smith, 22 January 1820
Jan. 29th.
The King is rapidly declining;
and it is confidently said to-day that he cannot live out the night. The new Queen will immediately appoint Brougham and probably Denman her Attorney and Solicitor General; by which they will
acquire professional rank and precedence. But these, I am afraid, will be of short
duration, for it is determined that she shall be unqueened.
Henry Peter Brougham, first baron Brougham and Vaux (1778-1868)
Educated at Edinburgh University, he was a founder of the
Edinburgh
Review in which he chastised Byron's
Hours of Idleness; he
defended Queen Caroline in her trial for adultery (1820), established the London University
(1828), and was appointed lord chancellor (1830).
Queen Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1768-1821)
Married the Prince of Wales in 1795 and separated in 1796; her husband instituted
unsuccessful divorce proceedings in 1820 when she refused to surrender her rights as
queen.
Thomas Denman, first baron Denman (1779-1854)
English barrister and writer for the
Monthly Review; he was MP,
solicitor-general to Queen Caroline (1820), attorney-general (1820), lord chief justice
(1832-1850). Sydney Smith commented, “Denman everybody likes.”