Dictionary of National Biography, 1901 supplement/Hall, Charles (1843-1900)
HALL, Sir CHARLES (1843–1900), recorder of London, second son of vice-chancellor Sir Charles Hall [q. v.] by Sarah, daughter of Francis Duval, and niece of the eminent conveyancer, Lewis Duval [q. v.], was born on 3 Aug. 1843. He was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1866 and proceeded M.A. in 1870. Admitted student at Lincoln's Inn on 15 Nov. 1862, he was there called to the bar on 17 Nov. 1866, and was admitted on 13 May 1872 ad eundem at the Middle Temple, of which he was elected bencher on 7 Nov. 1884. He was a pupil of Sir James (afterwards Lord) Hannen [q. v. Suppl.], and had for some years a considerable practice in the court of admiralty and on the south-eastern circuit. In November 1877 he was appointed attorney-general to King Edward VII when prince of Wales, and on 2 June 1881 was gazetted Q.C. In 1890 he was created K.C.M.G. in recognition of his services as British representative at the international maritime conference held at Washington during the last quarter of the preceding year. He resigned his office at court on being elected, on 8 Feb. 1892, recorder of London, but remained till his death on terms of intimacy with King Edward VII, then prince of Wales. The duties of the recordership he discharged with conspicuous efficiency. In 1899 he was sworn of the privy council. He represented the western division of Cambridgeshire in the short parliament of 1885-6 and the parliament of 1886-1892. At the general election of July 1892 he was returned for the Holborn division of Finsbury. He died unmarried on 9 March 1900, and was interred in the Kensal Green cemetery. His portrait, by the Hon. John Collier, was placed as a memorial of him in Holborn town hall.
[Foster's Men at the Bar; Burke's Peerage, 1900; Cambr. Univ. Cal. 1866, 1871; Burnand's ‘The A. D. C.,’ being personal reminiscences of the University Amateur Dramatic Club, Cambridge, 1880; Lincoln's Inn Records; Law List, 1867, 1885; Ann. Reg. 1889 ii. 47, 50, 63, 1892 ii. 9; Solicitor's Journ. 24 Nov. 1877, 4 May 1878; Hansard's Parl. Deb. 3rd ser. cccii. and cccviii., 4th ser. viii. List of Commons; Haydn's Book of Dignities, ed. Ockerby; Times, 10 March 1900; Law Times, 17 March 1900; Law Journal, 10 March 1900.]