Butler W. E. Fragments of Forward History of Comparative Law

Abstract: The subject of the article, suggested to readers, is a periodization of science of comparative law, the birth of which the author refers to the days of Roman law action. Particular attention is paid to the works of Sir Robert Wiseman, a prominent English lawyer, who considered Roman law as the highest achievement of legal science and is pointing it in his works. An example of this 17th-century scholar, the author shows that comparative law existed long before the 19th century, the middle of which is considered as the beginning of the birth of this science. The author of present research uses comparative legal method, showing the formation of Roman law and its subsequent impact on world legal systems. The author concludes that there is plenty of evidence of the existence of comparative law long before the mid-19th century (the official date of birth of the science), which had been ignored by scientists for a long time. But these "fragments" deserve the most attention. These scientists were pioneers of comparative jurisprudence, and because of them comparative law took its rightful place among other legal institutions.

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