Lord Denning Biography

About this book

Although he retired over a decade ago Lord Denning remains Britains best-known and to many most controversial judge. As Master of the Rolls a position he occupied for 20 years he saw his job as the making of law not merely the interpretation of it and he gave judgments which placed the judiciary at the centre of political and social change. From the time he became a judge at 45 the youngest on the Bench he became known for his independence of mind passion for justice wry humour and considerable flair for publicity. Naturally conservative he still liberalized social policy and stood up consistently for individual rights. A firm believer in Christian marriage he nevertheless eased divorce procedures and brought about the protection of womens property-rights. His report on the Profumo Affair became one of the key documents of the 1960s. In preparing this biography Iris Freeman had access to Lord Denning and to members of his family.