William George Granville Venables Vernon (William) (Vernon) Harcourt (1827–1904)

Lawyer and statesman. Acquired a large practice at the parliamentary bar. Regular contributor to publications including the Morning Chronicle and the Saturday Review; from 1861, published many letters in The Times, under the signature Historicus, on matters of international law arising from the American Civil War. Whewell Professor of international law, University of Cambridge, 1869–87. Liberal MP for Oxford, 1868–80; for Derby, 1880–95; for Monmouthshire West, 1895–1904. Home secretary, 1880–5; chancellor of the Exchequer, 1892. Knighted, 1873.