George Cranstoun
Encyclopedia
George Cranstoun, Lord Corehouse (died 1850) was a Scottish advocate
, judge and satirist.
on 2 February 1793, was appointed a depute-advocate in 1805, and sheriff-depute of Sutherland
1806.
He was chosen dean of the Faculty of Advocates 15 November 1823, and was raised to the bench on the death of Lord Hermand in 1826, under the title of Lord Corehouse, from his residence Corehouse
near the fall of Corra Linn on the River Clyde
. In January 1839, while apparently in perfect health, he was suddenly struck with paralysis, which compelled him to retire. He died 26 June 1850.
, and a friendship continued through life; Scott read the opening stanzas of the Lay of the Last Minstrel to William Erskine
and Cranstoun. While practising at the bar Cranstoun wrote a satire, ‘The Diamond Beetle Case,’ in which he caricatured the manner and style of several of the judges in delivering their opinions.
.
Advocate
An advocate is a term for a professional lawyer used in several different legal systems. These include Scotland, South Africa, India, Scandinavian jurisdictions, Israel, and the British Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man...
, judge and satirist.
Life
He was the second son of the Hon. George Cranstoun of Longwarton, seventh son William Cranstoun, 5th Lord Cranstoun, and Maria, daughter of Thomas Brisbane of Brisbane, Ayrshire. He was originally intended for the military profession, but was admitted to the Faculty of AdvocatesFaculty of Advocates
The Faculty of Advocates is an independent body of lawyers who have been admitted to practise as advocates before the courts of Scotland, especially the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary...
on 2 February 1793, was appointed a depute-advocate in 1805, and sheriff-depute of Sutherland
Sutherland
Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
1806.
He was chosen dean of the Faculty of Advocates 15 November 1823, and was raised to the bench on the death of Lord Hermand in 1826, under the title of Lord Corehouse, from his residence Corehouse
Corehouse
Corehouse is a large country house and estate, located approximately 30 miles to the south east of Glasgow, Scotland. The estate is by the Corra Linn Falls on the River Clyde, and close to the World Heritage Site of New Lanark, in South Lanarkshire....
near the fall of Corra Linn on the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
. In January 1839, while apparently in perfect health, he was suddenly struck with paralysis, which compelled him to retire. He died 26 June 1850.
Associations and works
His accomplishments as a Greek scholar secured him the friendship of Lord Monboddo. While attending the civil law class in 1788 Cranstoun met Walter ScottWalter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
, and a friendship continued through life; Scott read the opening stanzas of the Lay of the Last Minstrel to William Erskine
William Erskine, Lord Kinneder
William Erskine, Lord Kinneder , was a friend and confidant of Sir Walter Scott, and a scholar and songwriter.-Early life and education:Erskine was the son of the Rev. William Erskine, episcopalian minister of Muthill, Perthshire...
and Cranstoun. While practising at the bar Cranstoun wrote a satire, ‘The Diamond Beetle Case,’ in which he caricatured the manner and style of several of the judges in delivering their opinions.
Family
His second sister, Jane Anne, afterwards Countess of Purgstall, was a correspondent of Walter Scott, and his youngest, Helen D'Arcy, author of The Tears I shed must ever fall and wife of Dugald StewartDugald Stewart
Dugald Stewart was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher and mathematician. His father, Matthew Stewart , was professor of mathematics in the University of Edinburgh .-Life and works:...
.