Anthony Cleasby

Cleasby was the third son of Stephen Cleasby, a Russia broker, who carried on a prosperous business at 11 Union Court, Broad Street, in the city of London, and died at Craig House, Westmoreland, 31 August 1844; having married, 4 February 1797, at Stoke Newington, Mary, second daughter of George John of Penzance.

Anthony was educated at Brook Green, Hammersmith, and then at Eton, 1820–3; he abandoned an intention of entering the army, because of an illness in 1819 which rendered him lame for life.

He soon became known as a most accurate and careful junior; he was a master of the science of special pleading and learned in all branches of the law.

Cleasby became a Baron of the Exchequer on 25 August 1868, was nominated a serjeant on the same day, admitted on 2 November, and on 9 December was knighted.

He married, on 26 March 1836, Lucy Susan, youngest daughter of Walter Fawkes of Farnley Hall, North Yorkshire.