born June 28, 1722, Annapolis, Md.
died March 17, 1797, Baltimore, Md., U.S.
American lawyer.
He was educated in England and became a lawyer after returning to Maryland. After serving in Maryland's legislative assembly (175154), he was appointed to the Governor's Council (175776) in recognition of his support for the colony's proprietary government. Though he wrote an influential pamphlet criticizing the Stamp Act (1765), he opposed revolt against British rule and remained a loyalist during the American Revolution .