Michael Coulson

(James) Michael Coulson (23 November 1927 – 18 June 2002) was a British barrister and judge, who also had a five-year parliamentary career. He was also an enthusiastic horse rider, huntsman and farmer, and was known at the Bar for his outstanding memory.

Family Coulson was from an East Riding of Yorkshire family in Driffield; his father was a wealthy wool merchant. He attended the independent Fulneck School in Leeds as a boarding pupil before going up to Merton College, Oxford. His national service was spent in the East Riding Yeomanry in the Wenlock's Horse.

Early career In 1951 Coulson was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple, and joined the North Eastern Circuit, although he also participated in London cases. At the same time he became active in the Young Conservatives and did much to improve their organisation in the north of England, including drafting their constitution. He was an active member of the Territorial Army in the Queen's Own Yorkshire Yeomanry where he received a commission as a Major.

Marriage and farming In 1955 he married Dilys Adair Jones, a marriage which also brought him a farm on the Jones estate at Bolton Percy near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.