Identity:

Oliver Eaton Bodington was a barrister of the London Bar. Bodington appears to have practised in Paris for most of his working life.

Life:

Bodington was a specialist in French marital law. He published The French law of marriage, marriage contracts, and divorce [...] a 2nd edition of Kelly's French law of marriage' in 1895.

He also seems to have had literary and architectural interests; he was the author of The Romance Churches of France. A manual of French ecclesiastical architecture in the twelfth century... (1925), and 'Quiseen' and other world thoughts (1927), a book of essays. He was also apparently interested in gambling, and wrote Thirty seasons at Monte Carlo; anecdotes of travel and records of play (1924). Finally, he was a skilful Bridge player.

Bodington acted for Whistler in the case of Eden v Whistler in 1895. Whistler also consulted him in 1901 when he suspected that Carmen Rossi was responsible for the disappearance of works from his studio (see #00317; see also #00314, #00315, #00317).

Bibliography:

Foster, Joseph, Men at the bar, London, 1885; WorldCat database bibliographical search at WorldCat, http://newfirstsearch.uk (accessed 21.10.2003).