Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Simeon, John
SIMEON, Sir JOHN (1756–1824), master in chancery, born in 1756, was the son of Richard Simeon of Reading, and brother of Charles Simeon [q. v.] He matriculated from Merton College, Oxford, on 23 Oct. 1775, aged 19 (Foster, Alumni Oxon.) Having become a student of Lincoln's Inn on 12 Nov. 1773, he was called to the bar in Trinity term 1779. The same year he was elected recorder of his native town of Reading, and held that position until his resignation in 1807. He also represented it in parliament from June 1797 to 1802, when he suffered defeat, and again from 1806 to 1818. In 1789 he published a treatise on the ‘Law of Elections,’ which was well received by the profession; a second edition appeared in 1795. In November 1795 Simeon was appointed a master in chancery in ordinary, and discharged the duties of the office for twenty-eight years; for the last sixteen years of his life he was senior master. On 7 March 1812 he was placed at the head of the commission, composed of himself, Count Münster, and General Herbert Taylor, for placing George III's real and personal estate in trust during his majesty's illness; this delicate business was executed without salary. He acted as a commissioner for the protection of the king's property until his majesty's death in 1820. In consideration of his services a baronetcy was conferred upon Simeon on 22 May 1815, and by royal license on 26 May 1820 he received a grant of supporters to be borne by him and his successors in the title. On 9 July 1817 he petitioned to be called to the bench of Lincoln's Inn, but his application was not granted. Sir John died on 4 Feb. 1824, leaving by his wife Rebecca, eldest daughter of John Cornwall of Hendon, Middlesex, three sons and three daughters.
[Foster's Baronetage; Official Returns of Members of Parliament; Gent. Mag. 1824, i. 459; Ockerby's Book of Dignities; Lincoln's Inn Registers; Man's History of Reading.]