Holt

Holt, Sir John (1642-1710), judge, was born at Thame, in Oxfordshire. He was called to the bar in 1663, and some twelve years later began to make his mark as one of the leading counsel of the day.

In the State trials which grew out of the alleged Popish and Rye House plots he was frequently engaged on the side of the defendants. From 1689 to 1710 he was Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench. His unswerving integrity gained him universal esteem.