James Burge

Charles George James Burge, Q.C. (8 October 1906 – 6 September 1990 in London, England) was an English criminal law barrister, most noted for his defence of Stephen Ward in the controversial Profumo Affair in 1963. He is also remembered as John Mortimer's original inspiration for the fictional barrister Rumpole of the Bailey.

Burge was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, as an undergraduate commoner.

Ward was prosecuted for living on earnings from prostitution. He was defended by Burge, who, known as a mercurial Old Bailey junior, never quite recovered from the professional consequences of defending him in the scandal. Ward took an overdose of sleeping tablets near the end of the trial, he was found guilty of some charges in his absence, but died without regaining consciousness. It was Burge to whom Mandy Rice-Davies made her famous reply "He would, wouldn't he."

Author and fellow barrister John Mortimer stated on several occasions that there were elements of Burge, especially Burge’s independence and total dedication to often unprepossessing clients, that he incorporated into the famous fictional character Rumpole of the Bailey.

Burge practiced in the chambers of RE Seaton, QC, an established "criminal set" in Queen Elizabeth Building, Temple, London.

He died at age 83, on 6 September 1990 and was cremated in Xàbia, Spain.

Sources

• "Sir John Mortimer, creator of Rumpole of the BaileyEminent barrister and distinguished author and playwright, he was one of the great characters of contemporary British life," by Geoffrey Robertson guardian.co.uk, Friday 16 January 2009
• "BBC Four Film and Drama", Rumpole of the Bailey