[Thomas Gaskell]. American lawyer and publicist; born in Birmingham, England, on the 25th of November 1834. He moved with his parents to America in 1843, settled in New York, and later studied law and was admitted to the bar. He began practice in New York City, and devoted his spare time to writing on legal and economical subjects. He became a firm supporter of the doctrine of free trade. Among his works are Law of Practice and Pleadings, with Tillinghast (1861–65); Law of Negligence, with Redfield (1870–88); Talks on Free Trade (1881); Does Protection Protect? (1883); Distribution of Wealth (1887); and Natural Taxation (1891). Shearman was counsel for Henry Ward Beecher during his trial. (See authored article: Henry George.)
