Dugald Stewart, Lord Blairhall facts for kids
Dougal Stewart, also known as Lord Blairhall, was an important Scottish judge and politician who lived in the late 1600s and early 1700s. He was a Senator of the College of Justice, which means he was one of the top judges in Scotland.
His Life Story
Dougal Stewart was born around 1658 in a place called Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute in Scotland. His father, Sir Dougal Stewart, was also a politician. His family, the Stewarts of Ardmaleish, were very loyal to the King and followed the Episcopalian church. Because of their beliefs, they faced many difficulties during the English Civil War. They also had more trouble in 1693 when they refused to promise loyalty to King William.
Dougal studied law at Glasgow University from 1687 to 1691. After his studies, he became a lawyer in Scotland in 1694.
From 1702 to 1707, he served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Rothesay. This meant he helped make laws for Scotland.
He became an official citizen, known as a Burgess, of Edinburgh in 1703 and of Perth in 1710. He also worked as the Sheriff Depute for Edinburghshire (now called Midlothian) from 1704 to 1709. A Sheriff Depute was like a local legal officer.
Around 1705, he inherited a large estate called Blairhall in Perthshire after his father-in-law passed away.
Dougal Stewart was strongly against the Act of Union in 1707. This Act joined the parliaments of Scotland and England to create Great Britain. He was even put in prison in 1708 because people thought he supported a plan to bring back the old royal family. However, later that same year, he became an MP for Banffshire. He often spoke out against making Scottish laws the same as English laws. He strongly believed in keeping Scottish Law independent.
In June 1709, he was chosen to be a Senator of the College of Justice, taking on the title of Lord Blairhall. This was a very important position as a judge. He took over from his uncle, Robert Stewart, Lord Tillicutrie.
Lord Blairhall passed away at his home in Blairhall on June 16, 1712.
His Family
In 1700, Dougal Stewart married Mary Bruce. They had two sons named James and John.
