Mervyn Griffith-Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Mervyn Guthrie Griffith-Jones 1 July 1909 |
| Died | 13 July 1979 (aged 70) London, England |
| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | Trinity Hall, Cambridge |
| Spouse | Joan Clare Baker |
| Children | 3, including John and Robin |
| Parent | John Griffith-Jones |
John Mervyn Guthrie Griffith-Jones CBE MC (1 July 1909 – 13 July 1979[1]) was a British judge and former barrister. He led the prosecution of Penguin Books in the obscenity trial in 1960 following the publication of D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover. His much quoted remark in his opening statement as to whether the novel was something "you would even wish your wife or servants to read" is often cited as representing the extent to which the British establishment had fallen out of touch with popular opinion at the time.[2] He failed to convince the jury at the Chatterley trial, and the publishers were acquitted.