Travers Christmas Humphreys, QC (1901–1983) was a British jurist and judge who gained prominence for prosecuting controversial cases in the mid-20th century, including those involving Ruth Ellis and Timothy Evans. Beyond his legal career, Humphreys was a significant figure in the introduction and growth of Buddhism in Britain. He became a well-known British convert to Mahayana Buddhism and was deeply involved in its study and dissemination.

In 1924, he established the London Buddhist Society, an organization that profoundly influenced the Buddhist tradition in the United Kingdom. Humphreys also authored numerous books on Buddhism and was an advocate for the Oxfordian theory of Shakespearean authorship. His personal life was marked by an early interest in spiritual matters, stemming from the death of his brother in World War I, which led him to explore Buddhism at age 17. His former residence now serves as a Buddhist temple, underscoring his lasting legacy.

Born into a family with a legal background, Travers Christmas Humphreys' given name was unusual but traditional within his family. Known to friends and family as 'Toby', his early life was shaped by personal tragedy. The loss of his elder brother during World War I prompted a period of introspection regarding his beliefs, leading him to Buddhism at the age of seventeen. His education at Malvern College introduced him to theosophy, and he later attended Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

In the early 20th century, Humphreys delved into English-language literature on Eastern philosophy, with a particular focus on Buddhism. Public lectures by figures like J.R. Pain and Ananda Metteya further influenced his path. In 1924, he founded the London Buddhist Lodge, which evolved into the Buddhist Society. This initiative was partly inspired by correspondence with theosophists Annie Besant and George S. Arundale. Humphreys' home and the lodge became meeting places for prominent spiritual thinkers and writers such as Nicholas Roerich, Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Alice Bailey, and D. T. Suzuki, as well as Alan Watts and Vladimir Rosing. He also met the spiritual teacher Meher Baba in 1931. Humphreys was instrumental in drafting the Twelve Principles of Buddhism, which received endorsement from various Buddhist sects globally.

Humphreys was called to the bar in 1924 and initially focused on criminal defense. He rose through the legal ranks, serving as Junior Treasury Counsel at the Old Bailey and later as Senior Treasury Counsel. He prosecuted high-profile cases, including those of Craig & Bentley and Ruth Ellis, and secured the conviction of Timothy Evans for a murder later attributed to John Christie. These cases significantly influenced the abolition of capital punishment in the UK. He also served as a prosecutor in the Tokyo war crimes trials and prosecuted Klaus Fuchs for espionage. Later in his judicial career as a Commissioner and Additional Judge at the Old Bailey, Humphreys courted controversy with lenient sentencing in high-profile cases, leading to public outcry and his eventual resignation.

Beyond his legal work, Humphreys was a prolific author, particularly on the subject of Buddhism. He also held a strong interest in the authorship of Shakespeare's plays, serving as president of the Shakespeare Fellowship, which championed the Oxfordian theory. Under his leadership, the organization was renamed the Shakespeare Authorship Society. Humphreys also contributed to the arts by co-founding and chairing the Ballet Guild. He held vice-presidencies in organizations such as the Tibet Society and the Royal India, Pakistan and Ceylon Society. His autobiography, 'Both Sides of the Circle,' was published in 1978, and he also penned poetry, often exploring Buddhist themes.