PHEAR, John Budd. Earl Stonham, Suffolk 9.2.1825 — Exmouth, Devon 7.4.1905. Sir. British Lawyer in India. Son of Rev. J. Phear, a rector, and Catherine Wreford. Educated privately, studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge (B.A. 1847, M.A. 1850), then Fellow, Lecturer of Mathematics and Assistant Tutor at Clare College, Cambridge. “Senior Moderator, 1856; called to the bar at the Inner Temple, 1854; wrote law books. Puisne Judge of the High Court, Calcutta, 1864-76. Chief Justice of Ceylon, 1877-9. Then returned to the U.K. and settled at Exmouth, Devon. Liberal politician, three time unsuccesful candidate to House of Commons. D.L. Knighted. Married 1865 Emily Tabart (née Bolton), two daughters and one son.

Publications: Lecture on the Rules of Evidence in Indian Courts of Law. Calcutta 1866.

– The Hindoo Joint Family. A lecture. 20 p. Calcutta 1867.

– Indian Famines and Village Organization. 28 p. L. 1877.

– The Aryan Village in India and Ceylon. 56+295 p. L. 1880.

– A few further works on law and economy.

Sources: Buckland, Dictionary; T.C.H[ughes],  D.N.B. Suppl. 1912, 114f.; K. Prior, Oxford D.N.B.; M. Steer, Trans. Devon. Assoc. 37, 1905, 35-38 (in genuki.org.uk); Wikipedia (confusing his mother and wife).