Frederick Gentle

The Right Honourable Sir
Frederick William Gentle
11th Chief Justice of Madras High Court
In office
12 July 1947 – 19 April 1948
Appointed byGeorge VI
Preceded byLionel Leach
Succeeded byP. V. Rajamannar
Judge of Calcutta High Court
In office
10 November 1941 – 11 July 1947
Appointed byGeorge VI
Judge of Madras High Court
In office
1936 – 10 November 1941
Appointed byGeorge V
Personal details
Born(1892-07-12)12 July 1892
Died24 February 1966(1966-02-24) (aged 73)
ParentWilliam Gentle
EducationQueens' College, Cambridge

Sir Frederick William Gentle (12 July 1892 – 24 February 1966) was a British jurist who served in the High Courts of British India and became the last British Chief Justice of the Madras High Court before the transfer of power in 1947–48. He was also associated with the British military justice system as Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces.

Education and career

Gentle was born on 12 July 1892 to Sir William Gentle, who served as Chief Constable of Brighton from 1901 to 1920. He studied at Queens' College, University of Cambridge, from 1912 to 1915. Gentle began his judicial career in India as a puisne judge of the Madras High Court from 1936 to 1941, after which he served at the Calcutta High Court from 10 November 1941 to 1947. In 1947, he returned to Madras as Chief Justice, holding the position during the historic transition from British rule to independence. He was knighted in 1947 in recognition of his services. After his retirement in February 1948, P. V. Rajamannar succeeded him and became the first Indian Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.

Apart from his judicial career in India, Gentle also served as Judge Advocate General, a senior legal position associated with military justice. He was later appointed an Honorary Fellow of Queens' College in 1951. He died on 24 February 1966, aged 73.

References

  1. ↑ H.N. Mitra (1945). Indian Annual Register, 1945. January - June. Vol. I. Annual Register Office.
  2. ↑ Narasimhachari, K. (6 March 1966). "Chief Justice of Madras". The Indian Express. p. 4. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  3. ↑ "Speech By The Hon'ble President Of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee At The Valedictory Function Of Sesquicentennial Celebrations Of The Madras High Court". presidentofindia.gov.in.
  4. ↑ "Eminent alumni | Queens' College".