Henry Duke worked as a journalist after a pauper's education before entering Gray's Inn. He later served as Chief Secretary for Ireland, as a Lord Justice of Appeal and as President of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of the High Court
Archibald Bodkin worked on a farm before entering Inner Temple and was later appointed Director of Public Prosecutions
Rufus Isaacs worked in a shop and various other modest occupations before entering Middle Temple. He was later appointed Lord Chief Justice and Viceroy of India
How did this all work, and why isn't it possible today? Should it be? Superficially it seems that social mobility in the legal profession has gone backwards