Richard Ottley (judge)

Sir Richard Ottley (1782–1845)[1] was the fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Ceylon.

Sir Richard Ottley
5th Chief Justice of Ceylon
In office 1 November 1827 – 1833
Preceded by	Ambrose Hardinge Giffard
Succeeded by	Charles Marshall
Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Ceylon
In office 8 May 1820 – 1 November 1827
Preceded by	Henry Byrne
Personal details
Born	1782
Died	1845
Spouse(s)	Sarah Elizabeth Ottley, née Young

He was the son of Drewry Ottley of St Vincent in the West Indies, and was married to 2nd baronet William Young's daughter, Sarah Elizabeth.[1] He owned two slaves that had been left to him as a legacy of his grandmother, Mrs Jackson.

In 1814 he was appointed Chief Justice of Grenada.[1] He sailed to Ceylon in 1820 to take up the position of judge after having been knighted (22 March 1820) [2] and was promoted to Chief Justice of Ceylon on 1 November 1827, succeeding Ambrose Hardinge Giffard. He held that position until 1833, when he was succeeded by Charles Marshall.[3][4]

He resided at 50 York Street, Portman Square in London after retiring his judgeship.[1] On his death he was survived by his four children, but left provision in his will to support Grace Furness of Grenada, who may have been a fifth.

References

1. Catherine Hall,; et al. (2015). "Sir Richard Ottley - Profile & Legacies Summary". Legacies of British Slave-ownership Project. University College London. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
2. The Scots Magazine ..., Volumes 85-86. p. 477.
3. "Overview". Judicial Service Commission Secretariat. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
4. John Ferguson (1996) [1887]. Ceylon in the Jubilee Year (Repr. ed.). Asian Educational Services. p. 254. ISBN 978-81-206-0963-1. Retrieved 7 January 2013.