Page:A catalogue of notable Middle Templars, with brief biographical notices.djvu/192

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172
Napier — Needham.

previously knighted. His frequent absences in England, however, gave dissatisfaction, and he was superseded in 1602. He died 20 Sept. 1615, and was buried in Minterne Church, Dorset. He built an almshouse at Dorchester,, known as Napier's Mite.


NAPIER or NAPPER, ROBERT.
Royalist.
1611—1686.

Admitted 26 May, 1628.

Second son of Sir Nathaniel Napier of More Crichel, Dorset, and grandson of Sir Robert Napier (q.v.). He was educated at Oxford. After his call to the Bar, 10 Feb. 1636-7, he became Receiver-General for the Duchy of Cornwall. During the Civil War he supported the King by raising money for his cause. In 1646 he surrendered to Fairfax and was allowed to compound for his estates, and on the Restoration was permitted to resume his office of Receiver-General. He died at Puncknowle 1686.


NAPIER or NAPPER, Sir ROBERT.
About 1642—1700.

Admitted 21 November, 1655.

Son and heir of Sir Robert Napier (q.v.). He was called to the Bar 9 Feb. 1669. On 27 Jan. 1681 he was knighted, being then High-Sheriff of Dorset, and in the following year was created a Baronet. He was elected M.P. for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in 1689, and for Dorchester in 1690 and 1698. He died 31 Oct. 1700.


NEALE, WILLIAM JOHNSON.
Lawyer and Novelist.
1812—1893.

Admitted 4 November, 1836.

Second son of Adam Neale, M.D., of Bloomsbury Square. He was at first in the naval service, and was present at the Battle of Navarino, 1827. He entered the Middle Temple from Lincoln's Inn, and was called to the Bar 25 Nov. 1836. In 1859 he was made Recorder of Walsall. He died at Cheltenham 27 March, 1893.

He is known as the author of a number of Sea Stories published between 1831 and 1842, many of which obtained great popularity. Amongst them were Cavendish, or the Patrician at Sea (1831); Will Watch (1834); Gentleman Jack (1837); and The Flying Dutchman (1839). He also wrote a Satire entitled The Lauread, and, in conjunction with Basil Montagu, compiled a treatise on the Law of Elections (1839).


NEEDHAM, Sir JOSEPH.
Colonial Judge.
1812—1895.

Admitted 2 June, 1837.

Second son of James Needham of Uxbridge. He was called to the Bar 22 Nov. 1846. In 1865 he was appointed to the Chief Judgeship of Vancouver's Island, where two years later he distinguished himself by his courage in dealing with a serious outbreak of the mining population, and in finally restoring law and order without bloodshed. For this service he received the thanks of the Home Government. In 1870 he was transferred at his own request to the Chief Justiceship of Trinidad, from which he retired in 1886. He was knighted in 1873. He died 23 March, 1895.