Page:A catalogue of notable Middle Templars, with brief biographical notices.djvu/85

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CUNNINGHAM — CUST.
65
CUNNINGHAM, TIMOTHY.
Legal Antiquary.
d. 1789.

Admitted 22 August, 1754.

Son and heir of John Cunningham of Carickonshure (Carrick-on-Suir), CO. Tipperary. There is no record of his call to the Bar; but he is credited with the production of a large number of legal works, and with The History and Antiquities of the Inns of Court (1780). He died 15 June, 1789, and is said to have left a legacy for the foundation of what is now known as the "Cunningham Prize," at the Royal Irish Academy. There was, however, a contemporary Timothy Cunningham, a member of Gray's Inn, also a writer of books and an Antiquary, and who died in the same year, and it is not easy to discriminate between them.


CURRAN, JOHN PHILPOT.
Orator and Wit.
1750—1817.

Admitted 4 November, 1773.

Eldest son of James Curran, the Seneschal of the manor court at Newmarket, CO. Cork, where he was born 24 July, 1750. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1775, and obtained a silk gown there in 1784. About the same time he took his place in the Irish Parliament as Member for Kilbeggan. In 1806 he became Master of the Rolls, a situation which he filled till 1814, when he resigned on a pension. On his resignation he visited England, and resided near London till his death in 1817. His remains were first deposited at St. Pancras, but removed to Glasnevin, near Dublin.

Several of Curran's Speeches and Letters have been published, and a Life, by his son W. H. Curran (also a member of the Inn).


CURTEIS or CURTIS, Sir THOMAS.
Lord Mayor of London.
d. 1559.

Admitted 11 August, 1556.

Son of John Curteis of Enfield, Middlesex. He was Sheriff in 1546, represented the City in Parliament in 1547, and was Lord Mayor in 1558. He was first of all a Pewterer, but, on becoming an Alderman, joined the Fishmongers Company. He was buried 16 Dec. 1559.

At the same time was admitted his brother alderman, John Machell, who was a cloth-worker in Milk Street. Had he not died, 12 Aug. 1558, he would have been Mayor in the following year. They gave at their admission a tun of wine and a table for "lez seignors Benchers."


GUST, Sir JOHN.
Speaker of the House of Commons.
1718—1770.

Admitted 12 February, 1734-5.

Eldest son of Sir Richard Cust, the second Baronet, of Leesingham, Lincoln, and of the Middle Temple. He was born at Westminster in 1 718. His younger brother, Francis, was admitted on the same day, and became a King's Counsel, M.P. for Helston, and Recorder of Grantham. He died 30 Nov. 1791.

John succeeded his father as baronet in 1734, and graduated at Cambridge M.A. in 1739. He was called to the Bar 26 Nov. 1742. In 1743 he was elected for Grantham, and continued to represent that borough during the rest of his life. He was unanimously elected Speaker of the House on the resignation of Mr. Onslow {q.v.) in 1761, and again at the opening of Parliament in 1768, and held the office till 17 Jan. 1770, when his health compelled