Henry Lushington

Who was Henry Lushington?

Henry Lushington, colonial administrator, chief secretary to the government of Malta.

Lushington was born in Singleton, near Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, 13 April 1812. His father, Edmund Henry Lushington, of Queens' College, Cambridge, B.A. 1787, M.A. 1790, was called to the bar at the Inner Temple, 3 May 1793, became a puisne judge at Ceylon, chairman of the colonial audit board, master of the crown office, a bencher of his inn, and died at Park House, Maidstone, in 1839.

The second son, Henry, was educated at the Charterhouse School, 1823–8, and at the age of fifteen was at the head of the school. He became a student of Trinity College, Cambridge in October 1829. In 1832, and again in 1833, he obtained the Porson university prize for Greek iambics. In 1834 he graduated B.A. as senior optime and with a first class in the classical tripos, and he proceeded M.A. in 1837. He was elected a fellow of his college in 1836. Called to the bar at the Inner Temple on 20 Nov. 1840, he went the home circuit.

Lushington was one of the earliest and most zealous admirers of Tennyson's youthful genius. In 1841 he made the poet's personal acquaintance, and the dedication of ‘The Princess’ to Lushington in 1847 commemorates the cordial intimacy which followed. Lord Grey in 1847 appointed him chief secretary to the government of Malta, and in 1849 he brought forward the proposed code of laws before the newly elected legislative council. Although in weak health he remained at his post till 1855, when he left for a visit to England.