Dr Johnson and the Law

Arnold McNair (1885?1975) was a British legal academic, judge of the International Court of Justice and the first president of the European Court of Human Rights. In this book, which was originally published in 1948, McNair presents an engaging study of the relationship between Doctor Johnson and various aspects of law. The text reveals the legal context in which Johnson lived, providing information on his legal friends and contemporaries, his library, his views on professional ethics, his arguments and other legal activities in both Scots and English law, and his general comments on legal matters. Extensive quotation and authoritative argument underpin discussion throughout. A bibliography and textual notes are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Johnson and legal history.

Preface; Legal bibliography; Abbreviations; 1. His legal friends and contemporaries; 2. His legal reading and library; 3. His views on professional ethics, habits and prospects; 4. His arguments and other legal activities: Scots law; 5. His arguments and other legal activities: English law; 6. His comments on legal matters; 7. Why he did not become qualified to practise; Index.