Edward Willes

The West Prospect of New-Place in East Barnet in the County of Hertford. A view of the house more generally known as Little Grove in East Barnet that Willes purchased in 1767. Edward Willes (6 November 1723 – 14 January 1787) was an English barrister, politician, and judge.

Early life and family Willes was the second surviving son of Sir John Willes, the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and his wife Margaret Brewster. He was the younger brother of John Willes MP. He commissioned Capability Brown to design the gardens.

Career Willes became a King's Counsel in 1756, served as Solicitor General for England and Wales from 1766 to 1768, and then became a justice of the Court of King's Bench from 1768 until his death in 1787, aged 63.