Edward Christian

Edward Christian (March 3, 1758 - March 29, 1823) was an English judge and professor of law. He was the older brother of Fletcher Christian, the leader of the Bounty Rebellion. Edward Christian was one of the three sons of Charles Christian of Moorland Close and the large estate Ewanrigg Hall in Dirham, Cumberland, a lawyer descended from the Manx gentry, and his wife Ann Dixon. Charles’s marriage with Anne brought with them the little property of Murland Close, "a bunch of quadrangular buildings ... half castle, half manor." Charles died in 1768, and Edward Ann's mother was irresponsible with money. By 1779, Ann owed nearly £ 6,500 (today equal to £ 880,014) and faced the prospect of a debtor prison. Murland Close was lost, and Anne and her youngest children were forced to flee to the Isle of Man, where English creditors had no power. The three oldest Christian sons were able to arrange for their mother an annual annuity of £ 40 (currently £ 5,415), which allowed the family to live in poverty. His mother Anne died on the Isle of Man in 1819. Christian studied at St. Bees School and in 1775 went to Peterhouse, Cambridge, but in 1777 he moved to St. John's College, which in 1779 received higher education. with William Wilberforce. He was admitted to Grace Inn on July 5, 1782. In 1788, Christian was appointed Downing Professor of Laws of England, although the department was founded only together with Downing College in 1800. He served as a professor in conjunction with Downing fellowship until his death in 1823. From 1806 to 1818, he was also a professor of law at the College of the East India Company. Christian was the chief judge of Ely Island and was one of the chairmen of the judges at the Ely and Littleport Special Commission for Public Order in Ely in 1816.