Richard David Muir

Sir Richard David Muir (1857–1924) was a prosecutor for the British Crown, widely regarded as the greatest of his time; he played a prominent role in many of the most sensational trials of the early part of the 20th century, most notably that of Hawley Harvey Crippen.

Although his father hoped he would join the family business, he travelled south to London, with thoughts of going on the stage.

While he never "took silk" (that is, appointed as a King's Counsel) he represented the Crown in many trials of note in the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey from 1901 until his death in 1924.

Muir's cross examination of Crippen became standard reading material for Bar students in England and Wales and was used to illustrate advocacy skills in general.

[2] Sir Richard married Mary Beatrice Leycester and they had a son who also became a barrister, but who died on 4 November 1918 of influenza while on active service in the Army.