In his own words, "Sir Edward Coke was a man of high character and undoubted learning." Born on October 2, 1552, he was the son of John Coke, a squire, and a member of a family of considerable importance in the locality. The history of his life is obscure. In 1565 he became a student at Cambridge, but after two years he left the university without taking a degree. About 1570 he entered Lincoln's Inn, and in 1583 he took his father's place as Member of Parliament for Boston, which he continued to represent continuously until 1610
In addition to his legal attainments, Coke showed great administrative ability. His political career was marked by impartiality and uprightness. He served as Speaker of the House from 1589 to 1598.
In 1604 he became Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in succession to Lord Burghley; in 1605 he received the degree of Doctor of Civil Law. While in this position Coke became acquainted with many great men in Europe, including William Shakespeare and Robert Cecil, both members of his Majesty's Privy Council. He died on September 24, 1617.
Among his works are The Institutes of the Laws of England (1628), which is still considered one of the most important treatises on English law; A declaration Concerning the Liberties and Rights of ... Englishmen (1641); A Discourse Concerning Duello (1593); A Treatise on Adultery (1591); The Nature and Grounds of Conscience (1604); The Table Talk (1602); The Trial and Death of Thomas Overbury (1613); A Treatise on Liberty Against Subjection (1591)
They (corporations) cannot commit treason nor be outlawed nor excommunicated for they have no souls.Sir Edward Coke
For a man's home is his castle.Sir Edward Coke
Reason is the life of the law nay the common law itself is nothing else but reason. The law which is perfection of reason.Sir Edward Coke
