Queer Places:
Charterhouse School, Hurtmore Rd, Godalming GU7 2DX, United Kingdom
University of Cambridge, 4 Mill Ln, Cambridge CB2 1RZ
St Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Church Ln, Send, Woking GU23 7JL, United Kingdom

Sir Arthur Strachey (December 3, 1858 – May 14, 1901) was born in Calcutta, British India, on December 5, 1858, as the second son of Sir John Strachey and Katherine Jane Batten. His father was a prominent member of the Indian Civil Service, serving as Sir John Strachey, G.C.S.I. Growing up within a distinguished family, Arthur was related to other notable figures, including his cousins Lytton Strachey and James Strachey. His siblings included John, Katherine, Charles, Winifred, Mary, Jane, and Nina.

For his education, Strachey attended Uppingham School and afterwards Charterhouse School. He proceeded to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he was admitted on April 3, 1877, matriculating in the October term of 1877. He graduated in 1880 or 1881 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, achieving a second class in the Law Tripos, and also earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1881. He was a member of the Cambridge Apostles. Following his university studies, he was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1883 and subsequently called to the Bar.

Returning to British India to pursue his legal and judicial career, Strachey began practicing at the Allahabad High Court, where he also served as a Law Reporter starting in 1887. On October 22, 1885, he married Ellen Conolly, the daughter of John Conolly. The couple remained without issue throughout their marriage. Expanding his academic footprint within the region, he became a Fellow of Allahabad University in 1889 and later a Fellow of Bombay University in 1896.

Professionally, Strachey advanced rapidly within the judicial system. In 1892, he was appointed public prosecutor and standing counsel to the Provincial Government (specifically noted as the North-Western Provinces of India), holding these offices until 1895. In 1895, he was raised to the bench as a judge of the High Court of Bombay, serving until 1898. During his tenure in Bombay, he famously presided over the historic first trial for sedition of nationalist leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1897.

Continuing his rise in the judiciary, Strachey was appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of the North-West Provinces (also referred to as the High Court of Allahabad) on November 12, 1898, formally taking office as Chief Justice at Allahabad in 1899. In recognition of his service, he was made a Knight Bachelor on January 30, 1899.

Strachey's career and life were cut short when he died at the age of 42 on May 14, 1901, in Simla, India, while still serving as Chief Justice. Following his death, his body was cremated in the Hindu fashion, and his ashes were eventually laid to rest in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin in Send, in the county of Surrey, England, where a memorial plaque commemorates his life and distinguished career.


by Elisa Rolle

References:

Support this project
This website is a passion project researched, developed, and funded entirely by me. If you find the content valuable and would like to help support the ongoing research and hosting costs, any contribution is deeply appreciated.
Thank you for keeping this independent resource alive!

My books on Amazon: Elisa Rolle's books

BACK TO HOME PAGE