Matthew Skinner 1689-1749

Sir Matthew or Mathew SKINNER 1689-1749

Biographical Note

Son of Robert Skinner of Welton, Northamptonshire, judge. Matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford 1709, but did not graduate; in the same year he was admitted at Lincoln's Inn (barrister, 1716). He began legal practice in London, but moved to Oxford after becoming recorder there in 1721. He became a serjeant at law in 1724, and king's serjeant in 1735, when he was knighted; in 1738 he was appointed chief justice of Chester. MP for Oxford, 1734-38. He was closely involved with the prosecution of Jacobite rebels after the 1745 uprising.

Books

Skinner was a serial user of bookplates; his first plate, dated 1713 and made in two sizes, was reworked several times with the date changed, and changes made to reflect the stages of his career (Franks 27054-62). The extent of his library is not known; in his will, he directed that all his books should go to his son of the same name.

Sources

• Will of Matthew Skinner, The National Archives PROB 11/775/60.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.
• Williams, W. R., and Anne Pimlott Baker. "Skinner, Sir Matthew (1689–1749), serjeant-at-law." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.