PERRY, Thomas Erskine. Wimbledon 20.7.1806 — London 22.4.1882. Sir British Judge in India. Son of James Perry (1756–1821), a journalist, and Anne Hull (1773–1815), educated at Charterhouse School. Studies at Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A. 1828). Began career as lawyer, but soon left and studied two years at Munich. Back in England 1831 he became active in politics and in 1835 called to the bar by Inner Temple. Worked as law reporter, but lost his fortune in a bank failure and accepted the position of a Judge of Supreme Court of Bombay in 1841 (now knighted). Later (1847) Chief Justice. Returned to England in 1852. In 1854-59 M.P. for Devonport (Liberal), then member of Council of India (1859-82). Privy Councillor 1882. Married 1834 Louisa McElkiney (1813–1841), and 1852 Elizabeth Margaret Van den Bempde-Johnstone (d. 1913), two daughters. His sister was married with —> John Crawfurd.
Publications: On Aśoka (from Lassen), JBRAS 3:3, 1851, 150-178.
– Cases illustrative of oriental life and the application of English law to India, decided in H. M. Supreme Court at Bombay. 15+602 p. L. 1853; other writings on law.
– A bird’s-eye view of India, with extracts from a journal kept in the provinces, Nepal, &c. 8+277 p. L. 1855.
– “Notice of Anquetil du Perron and the Fire Worshippers of India”, Miscellanies of the Philisophical Society 3, 1856-57, ??-??.
Sources: JRAS Proc. for 1882, viiif.; *G.F.R.B(arker], D.N.B. 45, 1896, 38-40, *rev. by K. Prior, Oxford D.N.B. 2004; Buckland, Dictionary; Wikipedia.
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