The Cleverest Man in England

In the early years of this century, a tall, saturnine, relatively unknown young barrister, F. E. Smith, appeared in a County Court case. He was Oxford-educated but without great influence or backing, and few could have foreseen his dazzling future—Conservative Member of Parliament, Attorney General, Secretary of State for India, Earl of Birkenhead, and, eventually, Lord Chancellor of England.

The case before the court was not important except perhaps to the plaintiff and defendant. Judge Willis, who presided over the case, soon clashed with the irreverent, suave young advocate.

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Duncan Williams

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In the early years of this century, a tall, saturnine, relatively unknown young barrister, F. E. Smith, appeared in a County Court case. He was Oxford-educated but without great influence or backing, and few could have foreseen his dazzling future—Conservative Member of Parliament, Attorney General, Secretary of State for India, Earl of Birkenhead, and, eventually, Lord Chancellor of England.

The case before the court was not important except perhaps to the plaintiff and defendant. Judge Willis, who presided over the case, soon clashed with the irreverent, suave young advocate.