John Finch, 1st Baron Finch

John Finch, 1st Baron Finch (17 September 1584 – 20 November 1660) was an English judge, and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1621 and 1629. He was Speaker of the House of Commons.

Early life

Finch was the son of Sir Henry Finch of Eastwell, Kent. He was admitted to Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1596 and admitted at Gray's Inn on 5 February 1601. He was called to the bar in November 1611.

Political career

Finch became recorder of Canterbury in 1619. In 1621, he was elected Member of Parliament for Canterbury. In his capacity as recorder, he welcomed King Charles I when he arrived at Canterbury for his marriage in Canterbury Cathedral on 13 June 1625, and Finch was knighted by the King two days later on 15 June. He became King's Counsel in 1626.

He died on 20 November 1660 and was buried in St. Martin's Church, Canterbury, his peerage becoming extinct.