VOL. XVI.
No. t.
BOSTON.
JANUARY, 1904.
SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK. BY FRANCIS R. JONES, Of the Boston Bar. T is difficult to write acceptably or ade festations of the times, one of the many evi quately of a living man. Sir Frederick dences of change, or, if you will, of evolu Pollock, however, deserves of American tion, the undercurrent of which is still strong, lawyers more than a passing newspaper no carrying the science of jurisprudence to an tice. He was the first English legal pub unknown sea, there to sail in calm waters, or licist to recognize the worth of the system be wrecked upon a barren shore. Sir Fred erick Pollock has felt this influence, has of legal teaching evolved by Professor been swayed by it. In fact, it has been con Langdell of Harvard, and of the consequent genial to his temper, and he has brought his advantages enjoyed by the profession in the philosophical studies to aid the movement. United States. His varied activities cover If he has not ridden the whirlwind and con a wide range of thought. Alone they would trolled the storm, at least he has not op challenge consideration. His support of the posed his strength vainly to it. He has not cause of legal reform has been constant. led a forlorn hope, a lost cause. He has Consequently his career is of especial inter taken the inexorable conditions as he found est to those who, like his friend, Mr. Justice them, and, in sympathy with them, he has Holmes, believe in sweeping away the old preached the gospel of broad views, of wide landmarks of the law. Indeed, it is of im culture. He has maintained that no man portance to all men. Sir Frederick, how could be a great lawyer, unless he was con ever, has not gone as far in this direction as versant with learned subjects other than law. have many of his friends and disciples. His Sir Henry Maine was his master and his energies have been bent to the softening of the rigors of the common law, rather than j friend. As his disciple he has carried on Sir Henry's work and thought. With all his to superseding it. activities, with his high place as Corpus Pro It seems unnecessary more than to touch fessor of Jurisprudence at Oxford, with all upon the changes in the judicial system of his published works, with his distinguished England during the last sixty years. The family, and his own modest and pleasing coordination and amalgamation of the dif personality, it is more than strange that his ferent courts, have been carried on through influence and reputation should be greater these years, until they have become com in the United States than in England. It plete. It is difficult for one who is not an may be another instance of the old adage English lawyer, to judge what, if any, in about a prophet not being without honor fluence or change upon the law as a science save in his own country. has been effected by this amalgamation. Sir Frederick Pollock was born on But it undoubtedly has been one of the mani
