Cameo of Sir Thomas Miller, 1789, Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Sir Thomas Miller, 1st Baronet FRSE (3 November 1717 – 27 September 1789), known as Lord Barskimming (1766–88) and Lord Glenlee (from 1788) during his judicial service, was a Scottish advocate, judge, politician and landowner. He was a founder member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783, and served as the society's first vice-president, 1783 to 1786.[1]

Early life

He was born in Edinburgh on 3 November 1717 the second son of Janet Hamilton and her husband, William Miller of Glenlee WS, Kirkcudbrightshire, and of Barskimming in Ayrshire.

He studied law at the University of Glasgow (1730) and the University of Edinburgh (1738).[2]

Career

He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1742, appointed sheriff-depute of Kirkcudbright in 1748 and elected joint town-clerk of the city of Glasgow. In 1755 he resigned the office of sheriff-depute to become solicitor of the Excise in Scotland. He was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland in 1759, and promoted to Lord Advocate in 1760. From 1762 until 1764 he also held the title of Rector of the University of Glasgow.

He was Member of Parliament for Dumfries Burghs from 1761 to 1766, and Rector of the University of Glasgow from 1763. He was raised to the bench and appointed Lord Justice Clerk in 1766, taking the judicial title Lord Barskimming. In 1788, he became Lord President of the Court of Session and was created Lord Glenlee, Baronet of Glenlee, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.[3]

His Edinburgh address in 1775 was Browns Square.[4] Around 1780 he bought the Dean estate, of Nisbet family fame, and lived at Dean House (later replaced by Dean Cemetery).[5]

He died at Barskimming, Ayrshire, on 27 September 1789 and was interred in the family vault at Stair, Ayrshire.[6]

Family

In 1752 he married Margaret Murdoch daughter of John Murdoch of Rosebank, Lord Provost of Glasgow,[7] and together they had one son Sir William Miller, Lord Glenlee (1755-1846).[8] He married again in 1768 to Anne Lockhart.

He was brother to Patrick Miller of Dalswinton.

References

  1. ^ Waterston, Charles D; Macmillan Shearer, Angus (July 2006). Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783-2002: Biographical Index (PDF). Vol. II. Edinburgh: The Royal Society of Edinburgh. ISBN 9780902198845. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  2. ^ An Historical Account of the Senators of the College of Justice: Brunton, Haig and Lockhart
  3. ^ "No. 12965". The London Gazette. 16 February 1788. p. 81.
  4. ^ Edinburgh and Leith Post Office directory 1775
  5. ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1784
  6. ^ Kay's Originals vol.2 p.346
  7. ^ "The old country houses of the old Glasgow gentry: LXXXV. Rosebank".
  8. ^ Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X.
Parliament of Great Britain Preceded byArchibald Douglas Member of Parliament for Dumfries Burghs 1761–1766 Succeeded byJames William Montgomery Legal offices Preceded byAndrew Pringle of Alemore Solicitor General for Scotland 1759–1760 Succeeded bySir James MontgomeryFrancis Garden Preceded byRobert Dundas of Arniston Lord Advocate 1760–1766 Succeeded byJames Montgomery Preceded byLord Minto Lord Justice Clerk 1766–1787 Succeeded byLord Braxfield Preceded byLord Arniston Lord President of the Court of Session 1787–1789 Succeeded bySir Ilay Campbell Academic offices Preceded byEarl of Erroll Rector of the University of Glasgow 1763–1764 Succeeded byWilliam Mure of Caldwell Baronetage of Great Britain New creation Baronet (of Glenlee) 1788–1789 Succeeded byWilliam Miller


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