Alexander Gibson, Lord Durie facts for kids
Alexander Gibson, Lord Durie I (around 1570–1644) was an important Scottish judge and writer about law. He helped shape the legal system in Scotland during his time.
Contents
Life of a Scottish Judge
Alexander Gibson was the son of George Gibson, who worked as a clerk in the Scottish courts. Alexander studied law at the University of Edinburgh and earned his Master of Arts degree in 1588. In 1594, he became a clerk in the court system, helping with official documents and records.
In 1621, Alexander Gibson was chosen to be a lord of session, which is a high-ranking judge in Scotland. He was also named a Senator of the College of Justice. This meant he was one of the main judges in the country's highest court. When he became a judge, he took the special title "Lord Durie." His son, also named Alexander, took over his old job as a court clerk.
Lord Durie was a very respected judge. In 1633, he was asked to help review Scotland's laws and collect information about local customs. He also became a member of the committee of estates in 1640, which was an important group that helped govern the country. His job as a judge was confirmed again in 1641.
Lord Durie was so well-regarded that he was chosen twice to lead the main court, the College of Justice. He led the court for the summer session in 1642 and again for the winter session in 1643. He passed away at his home, Durie House, in 1644. His family's old home, Durie Castle, had burned down a few years earlier and was replaced by Durie House.
A legal writer named William Forbes later praised Lord Durie, saying he was "a man of a penetrating wit and clear judgment," meaning he was very smart and had excellent judgment.
Lord Durie's Legal Writings
From 1621, when he became a judge, until 1642, Lord Durie kept detailed notes of the court's decisions. These notes are very important because they are the earliest organized collection of legal decisions in Scottish law. They are often called "Lord Durie's Practicks." His grandson later published these notes in a book in 1690, which became a key resource for understanding Scottish law.
Lord Durie's Family
In 1596, Alexander Gibson married Margaret Craig. She was the oldest daughter of a famous lawyer named Sir Thomas Craig. Alexander and Margaret had three sons: Alexander Gibson II, Sir John Gibson, and George Gibson. They also had a daughter named Margaret Gibson.
A Strange Story in Literature
There's a famous story about Lord Durie being kidnapped! The story says that the Earl of Traquair had a court case, and he thought Lord Durie might rule against him. So, the Earl supposedly had Lord Durie taken away and kept him hidden in a dark room for three months in the countryside. After the court case was finished, Lord Durie was returned to where he was taken from.
This unusual event became the subject of a famous poem called Christie's Will by the well-known Scottish writer Walter Scott. Some historians believe there might have been a similar kidnapping incident involving Lord Durie earlier, in 1604, when he was still a court clerk.
See Also
- Alexander Gibson, Lord Durie II
- William Armstrong (Christie's Will)
