Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Haddan, Thomas Henry
HADDAN, THOMAS HENRY (1814–1873), originator of the ‘Guardian’ newspaper, eldest son of Thomas Haddan, solicitor, of Lime Street Square, London, by Mary Ann, daughter of John Haddan, and brother of Arthur West Haddan [q. v.], was born in London in 1814, and educated at a private school at Finchley. He matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford, 2 July 1833, gained a scholarship there, took a double first in 1837, and graduated B.A. on 5 May in that year. He was Petrean fellow of Exeter College from 30 June 1837 until 11 Jan. 1843. His essay entitled ‘The Test of National Prosperity considered’ obtained the chancellor's prize in 1838. He gained an Eldon law scholarship in 1840, and a Vinerian fellowship in 1847. He proceeded M.A. 1840, B.C.L. 1844, and was called to the bar of the Inner Temple 11 June 1841, and practised as an equity draftsman and conveyancer. He was a sound lawyer, and had a steady practice at the bar. At a meeting in his chambers, 6 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, in 1846, the ‘Guardian’ newspaper was projected. He was a sanguine supporter of the scheme, and for a short time edited the paper, which soon attained a great success. In 1862, at the desire of the council of the Incorporated Law Society, he delivered a course of lectures on the jurisdiction of the court of chancery. His writings were: 1. ‘Remarks on Legal Education with reference to Legal Studies in the University of Oxford,’ 1848. 2. ‘The Limited Liability Act with Precedents and Notes,’ 1855. 3. ‘Outlines of Administrative Jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery,’ 1862. He also wrote an interesting memoir of his brother Arthur, which was printed in A. P. Forbes's ‘Remains of Rev. A. W. Haddan,’ 1876, Introduction, pp. xix–xxix. Having gone to Vichy for the benefit of his health he died there rather suddenly on 5 Sept. 1873, and was buried on 6 Sept.; but his body was afterwards removed to Highgate cemetery. He married, 3 Oct. 1861, Caroline Elizabeth, youngest daughter of James Bradley, a captain in the royal navy, by whom he left five children.
[Law Times, 20 Sept. 1873, pp. 384–5, 15 Nov. p. 44; Guardian, 10 Sept. 1873, p. 1162; Boase's Exeter College, 1879, p. 132.]