The Great Pillar: The Political Career of Lord Thurlow 1731–1806. By BenGilding. Oxford: New College Library & Archives. 2023. New College Library & Archives Publications no. 5. xiii, 338pp. Paperback. £16.00. ISBN 9781916065147.

Thurlow', writes the author Ben Gilding, 'is one of the most neglected political figures in eighteenth-century Britain', having last been the subject of a biography 70 years ago.The reason for this neglect is not entirely clear.Some possible explanations include the coinciding of Thurlow's career with that that of a number of overshadowing political behemoths, including Charles James Fox, Edmund Burke, and William Pitt the Younger.Even Thurlow's death was overshadowed by that of Fox only a day later.It was perhaps Thurlow's lack of political factional loyalty -favouring instead the support and approval of George IIIthat led to this somewhat neglected position.Thurlow's temperament and ill-manner may also have played a part in his historical dismissal.Whatever the reason, 'pillars', no matter how great, and despite their structural significance, rarely receive the appreciation they deserve.Gilding, supported by the current 9th Baron Thurlow, redresses this oversight and provides a comprehensive account of the life of the Lord Chancellor from 1731 to 1806 in 17 chapters, divided into three thematic parts.The first part dealing biographically and chronologically with Thurlow's political and legal career, the second focussing thematically on Thurlow and crises of Empire, and the third part, diverting methodologically to explore Thurlow through the lenses of James Gillray and political caricature more broadly.A key aim of Gilding's first section (chapters I-XI) is to redress the lack of scholarship and make up for Gore-Browne's (1953) unreferenced and anecdotal account that sought primarily to 'resurrect Thurlow's memory' (p.2).Gilding succeeds in this aim and produces a detailed and traditional biography using the existing primary evidence.There is, however, a lack of engagement with the full range of available secondary literature: G.M. Ditchfield's ODNB article and the work of the History of Parliament, for example, are neglected.The greatest achievement of this section is the attention given to the intersections and complex facets of Thurlow's role within the political machine of the period.Thurlow's impact was arguably not truly felt until his rise to Lord Chancellor in 1778.This high office was complex, and Gilding succeeds in adroitly unpacking it.Thurlow was both lawyer and politician, cabinet member, Speaker of the House of Lords, whilst also being a peer in his own right, and unique in his close and long-lasting personal friendship with George III.The biography also provides a valuable governmental or insider narrative of events examined through the lens of Thurlow; previous period studies, according to Gilding, have been dominated by studies of George III's political opponents.Though a lack of surviving family or personal papers relating to Thurlow makes such a biographical study a difficult task, Gilding makes use of digitised parish records, parliamentary speeches, and contemporary newspapers to chart the Lord Chancellor's early life, turbulent education, personal relationships, and his sudden climb to the top rungs of the legal and political ladders.The power vacuum and tragic deaths which led to Thurlow's dramatic and sudden rise to Solicitor General in 1770 and Lord Chancellor in 1778 are given particular attention (chapters III-IV).Thurlow's personal life, including his first marriage,the death of his son,and his subsequent 'illegitimate'relationship with Polly Humphreys, the daughter of the proprietor of Nando's coffee house, provides intimate insights into the private life of a previously alleged womaniser.Although Gilding is cautious not to lean too heavily into Thurlow's negative personal reputation, at points this