Hartley William Shawcross

Date of Birth: February 4, 1902

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: July 10, 2003

Biography

Hartley William Shawcross, also known as Baron Shawcross, was a prominent British lawyer and politician who played a significant role in the mid-20th century. Born in Giessen, Germany, to British parents, Shawcross moved to England at a young age and pursued a career in law. He was educated at the London School of Economics and became a barrister in 1925. Shawcross gained national and international recognition as the lead British prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal following World War II. In addition to his legal career, Shawcross was an influential political figure. He served as the Attorney General for England and Wales from 1945 to 1951 under Prime Minister Clement Attlee. During his tenure, he was involved in several high-profile legal cases and was known for his eloquence and legal acumen. After leaving political office, Shawcross continued to practice law and took on various roles in the private and public sectors, including serving as the chairman of several companies. He was knighted in 1945 and later became a life peer as Baron Shawcross in 1959.

5 Interesting Facts about Hartley William Shawcross

1. Shawcross was one of the youngest individuals to be appointed as Attorney General for England and Wales, taking on the role at the age of 43.

2. He was the chief British prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, where he delivered powerful opening and closing statements against key Nazi officials.

3. Shawcross was knighted by King George VI in 1945 for his services to law and justice.

4. He was a founding member of Amnesty International, an organization dedicated to human rights.

5. Shawcross had a passion for sailing and often spent his leisure time on his yacht.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hartley William Shawcross

1. “There comes a point when a man must refuse to answer to his leader if he is also to answer to his own conscience.”

2. “The first and most imperative necessity in war is money, for money means everything else—men, guns, ammunition.”

3. “It is not the evil itself which is horrifying about our times—it is the way we not only tolerate evil, but have made a cult of positively worshipping it.”

4. “The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.”

5. “We must not only punish those who deserve it but also take steps to prevent such crimes in the future.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Hartley Shawcross’s net worth was estimated to be around £1 million, taking into account his earnings as a barrister, his political career, and various business interests.

Children

Hartley Shawcross had three children: two sons, William and Toby Shawcross, and one daughter, Hester Shawcross. William Shawcross followed in his father’s footsteps to some extent, becoming a noted author and journalist.