Adam Gillies, Lord Gillies facts for kids
Adam Gillies, Lord Gillies (born 1760, died 1842) was an important Scottish judge. He was known for his work in the Scottish legal system during the early 1800s.
Early Life and Career
Adam Gillies was born on April 29, 1766, in a town called Brechin in Forfarshire, Scotland. His parents were Margaret Smith and Robert Gillies. Adam also had an older brother named John Gillies, who became a famous historian.
Adam Gillies chose a career in law. He became an advocate on July 14, 1787. An advocate is a type of lawyer who represents people in court.
Becoming a Judge
Gillies became a local judge, known as a sheriff-depute, for the area of Kincardineshire in 1806. This role meant he was responsible for justice in that region.
Later, from 1811 until 1842, he served as a Senator of the College of Justice. This was a very high position in Scotland's main court, based in Edinburgh. As a Senator, he helped make important legal decisions. During the 1830s, he lived in a house at 16 York Place in Edinburgh's New Town.
Social Life and Retirement
In the late 1700s, Adam Gillies was part of a social group called the Crochallan Fencibles. This club met at Dawney's Tavern in Edinburgh.
Lord Gillies retired from his judging duties in the summer of 1842 because he was not well. Another judge, Alexander Wood, Lord Wood, took his place.
He passed away on December 24, 1842, in Leamington Spa. His body was brought back to Edinburgh. He was buried in a private area of Greyfriars Kirkyard, a famous cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth, is buried with him.
Family Life
Adam Gillies married Elizabeth Carnegy. She was the daughter of Thomas Carnegy of Craigo and belonged to a religious group called the Unitarians.
From 1811, two of their nieces, Margaret (born 1803) and Mary Gillies (born 1800), came to live with them. The girls moved from London to Edinburgh. Lord and Lady Gillies made sure the girls received a good education. They also helped them become part of Edinburgh society.
While in Edinburgh, Margaret and Mary met Thomas Southwood Smith. He was a powerful new preacher for the Unitarian church in Canongate. He would later play a big part in their lives.
Elizabeth Gillies' sister, Margaret, married a man named Malcolm Laing.
See also
- List of historic Senators of the College of Justice
