A. P. Herbert

Sir Alan Patrick Herbert (September 24, 1890 - November 11, 1971) was a British humorist, Member of Parliament, barrister, and novelist.

Related Topics:
September 24 - 1890 - November 11 - 1971 - British - Humorist - Member of Parliament - Barrister - Novel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He studied at New College, Oxford, and was admitted to the bar in 1918. In 1935 he became a member of Parliament for Oxford University, where he was returned until the University seats were abolished in 1950. While in Parliament, he advocated the abolition of the entertainments tax, and for reform of the laws of divorce and obscenity. He was knighted in 1945.

Related Topics:
New College, Oxford - 1918 - 1935 - Oxford University - 1950 - Divorce - Obscenity - Knight - 1945

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He wrote eight novels, including The Water Gypsies, The Secret Battle, and Holy Deadlock, and wrote fifteen plays. His work appeared often in Punch magazine, where the work for which he was best remembered, his series of Misleading Cases in the Common Law, was first published. Over his lifetime he published sixteen collections of the Misleading Cases. These were satirical pieces on various aspects of the British legal and judicial system; they often had a sharp political point beneath their satire. Many of them featured the exploits of Albert Haddock, a tireless and veteran litigant. The Misleading Cases series were collected into two volumes, Uncommon Law and More Uncommon Law, in 1982.

Related Topics:
Punch - Common Law - Satire

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A P Herbert's Misleading Cases were successfully adapted for television by the BBC, with Roy Dotrice as Haddock, and Alastair Sim as the judge.

Related Topics:
Television - BBC - Roy Dotrice - Alastair Sim

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~