Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Palmer, William (1802-1858)
PALMER, WILLIAM (1802–1858), conveyancer and legal author, second son of George Palmer [q. v.] of Nazeing Park, Essex, M.P. for the southern division of that county from 1836 to 1847, by Anna Maria, daughter of William Bund of Wick Episcopi, Worcestershire, was born on 9 Nov. 1802. He matriculated at Oxford (St. Mary Hall) on 16 Feb. 1822, graduated B.A. in 1825, and proceeded M.A. in 1828. In May 1830 he was called to the bar at the Inner Temple, where he acquired a large practice as a conveyancer. In 1836 he was appointed to the professorship of civil law at Gresham College, which he held until his death on 24 April 1858. Palmer was a man of high principle and unostentatious philanthropy. He did not marry.
He is author of the following: 1. ‘An Inquiry into the Navigation Laws,’ London, 1833, 8vo. 2. ‘Discourse on the Gresham Foundation; or two introductory Lectures delivered at the Royal Exchange,’ London, 1837, 8vo. 3. ‘The Law of Wreck considered with a View to its Amendment,’ London, 1843, 8vo. 4. ‘Principles of the Legal Provision for the Relief of the Poor. Four lectures partly read at Gresham College in Hilary Term 1844,’ London, 1844, 8vo.
[Guardian, 28 April 1858; Gent. Mag. 1843 pt. ii. p. 181, 1858 pt. i. p. 679; Foster's Alumni Oxon.; Brit. Mus. Cat.]