English academic, judge, and Tory politician (1723-1780) known for writing Commentaries on the Laws of England; he was confirmed as the first Vinerian Professor of English Law in October 1758. ALS signed “W. Blackstone,” one page both sides, 7 x 8.5, March 21, 1761. Letter addressed to a correspondent identified only as "My Lord,” in full: "Your Lordship will not be surprised, that in my critical situation I am under some kind of Anxiety, & desirous to learn whether any further Step has been taken in regard to the Silk-Gown, with which Your Lordship informed me the King intended to honour me: For, if by any Accident the Favour of that Nomination should be deferred till after the Return for Hindon, it would involve me in a very awkward Difficulty, by immediately vacating the Seat. Lord Chancellor, from whom I hoped to have heard some Particulars, is gone out of town this morning.
When I did myself the Honour to wait on You last, Your Lordship was also pleased to say You would make Enquiry what was expected from me with regard to Hindon. Pardon my Sollicitude to know the Event of that Enquiry. I, like a very raw Courtier, proposed myself the Pleasure of seeing Your Lordship tomorrow at St. James’s, but am just now informed, that it being Easter Day these will be no Drawing Room. I therefore take this Method of enquiring what may be incumbent upon me to do, or whether Your Lordship has any Commands for me: For it would be unpardonable Negligence on my Side, when my great & noble Friends have done so much for me, to let anything miscarry through a Want of Attention to the necessary Forms of Business. I have the Honour to he, with great Respect & Gratitude.” Nicely cloth-matted and framed with an engraving to an overall size of 19.5 x 15.75; the backing has a window for viewing the reverse. In fine condition.
Just three years prior to the date of this letter, William Blackstone became the first Vinerian professor of law at Oxford (1758), where he inaugurated courses in English law; British universities had previously confined themselves solely to the study of Roman law. Blackstone published his lectures as Commentaries on the Laws of England (4 vol., 1765-69), a work that gave order and lucidity the bulk of English law. Blackstone's Commentaries, written in an urbane, dignified, and clear style, is regarded as the most thorough treatment of the whole of English law ever produced by one man. It demonstrated that English law as a system of justice was comparable to Roman law and the civil law of the Continent. Blackstone's work exerted tremendous influence on the legal profession and on the teaching of law in both England and the United States. In his later life Blackstone resumed his law practice, served in Parliament, was solicitor general to the queen, and was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
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