John Lind (barrister)

John Lind (1737 – 1781) was an English barrister, political activist, and pamphleteer who opposed the American Revolution.

He was educated at Balliol College of Oxford, receiving an MA in 1761. While there he began a long association and friendship with Jeremy Bentham He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and in November 1773 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.

He was born on 13 August 1737, was the only son of the Rev. Charles Lind, D.D. His father was vicar of West Mersea 1738–48, rector of Wivenhoe 1750–1771, and rector of Paglesham 1752–71, all livings in Essex. He married a Miss Porter of Winchester, and died 6 March 1771, leaving his livings sequestrated and two daughters.

John Lind matriculated on 22 May 1753 at Balliol College, Oxford, graduating B.A. 1757, M.A. 1761. About 1758 he took deacon's orders in the Church of England, and a few years later accompanied John Murray on his embassy to Constantinople in the capacity of chaplain, but as "too agreeable to his Excellency's mistress" was dismissed from his post.

Lind then went to Warsaw, where he dropped his clerical pretensions and became tutor to Prince Stanisław Poniatowski. He was noticed by King Stanisław August Poniatowski, who made him governor of an institution for educating cadets, and the title of privy councillor. In 1773, after the First Partition of Poland, he returned to England with a pension from the king, and added to his income by reading to Prince Czartoryski, the king's uncle.

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