Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cross, John (1766-1842)
CROSS, Sir JOHN (1766–1842), judge in bankruptcy, second son of William Cross of Scarborough, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1791 he entered at Lincoln's Inn, and was called to the bar on 16 Nov. 1795. He was appointed a serjeant-at-law in Hilary term, 1819, and enjoyed a considerable practice in the court of common pleas. In Trinity term, 1827, he was appointed a king's serjeant, and he succeeded Lord Abinger in the office of attorney-general of the duchy of Lancaster. On 2 Dec. 1831 he was appointed by letters patent a judge of the court of bankruptcy, and was knighted. Subsequently he became chief judge, and held that office until 5 Nov. 1842, when, on his return home from his court at Westminster, he suddenly died. On his death the separate court of bankruptcy was abolished, and its jurisdiction transferred to the court of chancery, Vice-chancellor Sir James Knight-Bruce becoming chief judge.
[Jurist, vol. vi. pt. ii. p. 466; Annual Register, 1842.]