committee" of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and suggested many publishing schemes apart from the society. Two of Charles Lock Eastlake's works were painted for Ker. He was himself a contributor of woodcuts as well as lives of Christopher Wren and Michael Angelo to the Penny Magazine. He was an original member of the Arundel Society, was interested in the foundation of schools of design, and helped to promote the establishment of the Department of Science and Art. Ker was one of the first private growers of orchids, and he wrote a series of articles under the pseudonym "Dodman" in the Gardeners' Chronicle. He was in early life a fellow of the Royal Society, but resigned his fellowship when in 1830 the Duke of Sussex was chosen president. Last years In 1860 Ker retired from practice, and lived the rest of his life at Cannes, where he died on 2 November 1871. Works Ker is the author of The question of registry or no registry considered, with reference to the interests of landholders (1830) Shall we register our deeds? (1853) Family Ker married Elizabeth Anne, daughter of Edward Clarke, a solicitor. They had no children. References Attribution 1780s births 1871 deaths English barristers Fellows of the Royal Society 19th-century English lawyers Committee members of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge