Forensic Fables appeared first in the Law Journal and then in book form between 1926 and 1932. They were published anonymously, but their authorship was quickly guessed. The literary style and the pictorial delineation were alike unmistakable. They were the work of Theo Mathew composed in his study on the ground floor at the back of 31 Cornwall Gardens. They show his wit in all its maturity
Theo Mathew was born in 1866, the elder son of Lord Justice Mathew. Educated at the Oratory School and Trinity College, Oxford he was called to the bar in 189O and practiced in the South-Eastern Circuit and in London. He established a substantial common law practice and was frequently briefed in commercial cases. In later years he specialised increasingly in libel. He was the author of The Practice of the Commercial Court and for some years was Editor of Commercial Cases. Recorder of Margate from 1913 to 1927 and of Maidstone from 1927 to 1936, Theo Mathew was a Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn and was due to become Treasurer when he died in the summer of 1939.
Throughout his life, in addition to his legal work, he found time to write articles literary and historical, mainly with a legal flavour. He was widely recognised as the wittiest member of the Bar, his style lighter than his father's and with a perfect spontaneity He had a delightful sense of the ridiculous and had a merciless eye for the pretentious. Nor was his wit limited to legal subjects; he admitted once, very reluctantly, that he was responsible for the famous ‘Dr. Livingstone, I presume?’ story.
Theo Mathew had a deep respect for the traditions of his profession and great affection for so many of those who practised it. This book is evidence of both.
