Thomas Egerton, baron of Ellesmere and Viscount Brackley, lord chancellor of England, born at Dobbleston, Cheshire, in 1540, died in London, March 15, 1617. He was educated at Brasenose college, Oxford, was called to the bar, and by his learning and integrity soon attracted the attention of Queen Elizabeth. He was appointed successively solicitor general, attorney general, master of the rolls, and in 1596 lord keeper. James I., on his accession, created him Baron Ellesmere, and appointed him lord high chancellor. He was subsequently elected chancellor of the university of Oxford. In 1616 he was made Viscount Brack-ley. A few days before his death he resigned the great seal, having retained it, as lord keeper and chancellor, for a longer period uninterruptedly than any of his predecessors or successors. He was succeeded by Sir Francis Bacon. Besides his judicial duties, he was frequently employed by Elizabeth and James in the negotiation of treaties, and in other irnportant state affairs. His son John was the first earl of Bridgewater (1617), and lord president of Wales.