Perceval Maitland Laurence

Sir Perceval Maitland Laurence (20 April 185428 February 1930) was an English classical scholar, judge in South Africa and a benefactor of the University of Cambridge and the University of Cape Town.

Early life and education Perceval Maitland Laurence was born on 20 April 1854 One of his brothers was Henry Hamilton Laurence, a graduate of New College, Oxford, and a barrister-at-law at Georgetown, Guyana.

In 1872 Laurence went up to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, to read Classics, graduating with first class honours in 1876. His father had attended Trinity College, Cambridge, and both father and son were Presidents of the Cambridge Union Society; the younger Laurence held office in the Easter Term of 1874.

The law On graduating his studies, Laurence turned to the law. As a fellow of Corpus Christi, he was awarded the Yorke Prize in 1878 for his essay, written jointly with Courtney Stanhope Kenny, on The Law and Custom of Primogeniture, the Master of Laws degree in 1879, the Chancellor's Gold Medal for Legal Studies and in 1885 the degree of Doctor of Laws. for which he was knighted in 1906.

Benefactor Laurence died on 28 February 1930. He also endowed his college, Corpus Christi, with funds to support the study of classics and prizes in his name continue to be awarded. In 1925 he endowed the University of Cape Town with the Sir Laurence Gift which supports the Laurence Prize (awarded annually to the best undergraduate student in Ancient Greek).

Publications Two Essays on the Law of Primogeniture (with Courtney Stanhope Kenny), 1878, reprinted by Kessinger Publishing 2008. . Judges and Litigants, London 1879. Collectanea: Essays, Addresses And Reviews, 1899, reprinted by Kessinger Publishing June 2008. . Catalogue of the Kimberley Public Library, 1891, Compiled by P. M. Laurence ASIN: B0014NV3JE. Reports of Cases Decided in the High Court of Griqualand. Reported by P. M. Laurence ASIN: B0014JX9DQ. On Circuit in Kaffirland, and Other Sketches and Studies, 1903. The Life of John Xavier Merriman, Constable, London, 1930.