Derek Curtis-Bennett
Frederick Henry Derek Curtis-Bennett Q.C. (29 February 1904 - July 1956) was a British barrister who defended some of the most notorious characters in British legal history, but whose career was cut short by alcoholism. His father was Sir Henry Curtis-Bennett K.C., whose biography he wrote with Roland Wild.
Early life and career
Curtis-Bennett was educated at Radley College and Trinity College, University of Cambridge. He was called to the bar in 1926 and specialised in criminal defence. He became a Recorder of Guildford in 1942 and a King's Council the following year.[1] Among those that Curtis-Bennett defended were William Joyce (Lord Haw Haw), serial killer John Christie (1953), Sergeant Frederick Emmett-Dunne, and atom spy Klaus Fuchs. Curtis-Bennett pursued the truth in the Christie case as his client admitted more and more murders, despite it being injurious to his defence.[2]
Family
Curtis-Bennett married Margaret Duncan in 1928, which marriage was dissolved in 1949. There were three children. He married Janet Farquhar in 1955, who killed herself in 1956.
Death
Curtis-Bennett died from asphyxiation after collapsing while highly intoxicated. He was discovered at his home in Courtfield Gardens, Earls Court, London, on 23 July 1956[3] Following medical evidence showing considerable liver damage, the coroner commented that the verdict "must be one of alcoholism". Curtis-Bennett died just two months after his wife, Janet Farquhar Curtis-Bennett (aged 26), killed herself with a drug overdose. It was stated at Janet's inquest that relations between her and her husband had been troubled.[4]
Selected publications
- "Curtis." The life of Sir Henry Curtis-Bennett, K.C. London, Cassell & Co., 1937. (With Roland Wild)