Sir Roger Cholmeley (born 1490s — died 21 June 1565) was Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench from 1552 to 1553.
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Cholmeley (sometimes spelled Cholmley) was the illegitimate son of Sir Richard Cholmeley of Yorkshire (1472 – 1521), who served as Lieutenant of the Tower of London from 1513 to 1520. Roger Cholmeley was educated to the law at Lincoln's Inn from 1506. Despite being expelled from there three times, he entered the legal profession.
Most of Cholmeley's career as a lawyer was spent in the City of London, but he lived at Highgate in Middlesex. In 1520 he was called as a bencher of Lincoln's Inn, in 1531 became a serjeant-at-law, and in November 1534 was knighted. From 1535-45 he was Recorder of London, and was one of the city's members in four parliaments.
In November 1545 Cholmley became chief baron of the Exchequer, and in May 1552 was appointed Chief Justice of the King's Bench. He was Lord Chief Justice for only a year as Queen Mary I would not reappoint him. He was imprisoned for a month and fined for signing Lady Jane Grey's instrument of succession. He returned to work as a barrister and was a member of parliament for Middlesex in the early 1550s.
Cholmeley founded Highgate School, which was established by Royal Charter in 1565. Former pupils of the school are known as Old Cholmeleians in his memory. The school has gone on to become a leading independent school (sometimes referred to as a public school). Old Cholmeleians include John Venn, the creator of Venn diagrams, poets Gerard Manley Hopkins and John Betjeman, and musicians John Tavener and John Rutter.
Cholmeley died in London on 21 June 1565.
| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by Richard Lyster |
Lord Chief Justice 1552–1553 |
Succeeded by Thomas Bromley |