Charles Arthur Turner

Sir Charles Arthur Turner KCIE (6 March 1833 – 20 October 1907) was a British jurist mainly operational in Indian during the British colonial period, and was Chief Justice of Madras High Court. He was the first barrister judge appointed directly to the Allahabad High Court from England.

Early life

The grave of Sir Charles Arthur Turner, Brompton Cemetery

Turner was born to Reverend John Fisher Turner at Exeter, England. After completion of study at Exeter Grammar School and at Exeter College Oxford, he was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1858.^[1][2]

Career

He was appointed puisne Judge in Allahabad High Court in 1866^[3][2] and served there for twelve years. In 1879 he became the Chief Justice of Madras High Court after Sir Walter Morgan and served since 1879 to 1885.^[4] He held the post of Vice-Chancellor of Madras University In 1880 and 1882.^[1] Sir Charles Turner also served as a member of the Law Commission of India and Public Service Commission with Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison in 1886. He was awarded Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire on 1 January 1888 on becoming Chief Justice.^[5] He became a judicial member as well as vice president of the Council of India.^[1] Turner died in London in 1907.^[6] He is buried in Brompton Cemetery between the central colonnades.