John Balfour, 1st Baron Kinross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Kinross
PC DL
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|---|---|
 |
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| Lord Justice General | |
| In office 1899–1905 |
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| Monarch | Victoria Edward VII |
| Preceded by | James Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Graham Murray |
| Member of Parliament for Clackmannan and Kinross | |
| In office 29 April 1880 – December 1899 |
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| Preceded by | Sir William Adam |
| Succeeded by | Eugene Wason |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Blair Balfour
11 July 1837 Clackmannan, Scotland |
| Died | 22 January 1905 (aged 67) Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Spouses |
Lilias Oswald Mackenzie
(m. 1869, Hon. Marianne Eliza Moncrieff
(after 1877) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parents | Peter Balfour Jane Ramsay Blair |
| Education | Edinburgh Academy |
| Alma mater | Edinburgh University |
John Blair Balfour, known as the 1st Baron Kinross PC DL, was an important Scottish lawyer and politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party. He served in the British Parliament from 1880 to 1899.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Blair Balfour was born on July 11, 1837, in Clackmannan, Scotland. His father, Peter Balfour, was a minister. His mother was Jane Ramsay Blair.
John went to Edinburgh Academy for school. After that, he studied law at Edinburgh University. In 1861, he became a lawyer, known as an "advocate," in Scotland.
A Career in Law and Politics
Balfour as caricatured by Spy (Leslie Ward) in Vanity Fair, May 1886
John Balfour began his legal career as an Advocate Depute from 1870 to 1872. In 1880, he became a Queen's Counsel, which is a special title for experienced lawyers. He also served as a Deputy Lieutenant for Edinburgh.
In 1880, Balfour tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayrshire North but was not elected. However, just six months later, he won a special election. He became the Liberal MP for Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire.
Important Legal Roles
In 1880, Balfour was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland. This is a senior legal role in the Scottish government. The next year, in 1881, he became the Lord Advocate, which is the chief legal officer for Scotland. He held this important position for four years.
In 1882, he joined the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. This is a group of advisors to the British monarch. He was also elected to lead the Faculty of Advocates twice, from 1885 to 1886 and again from 1889 to 1892.
When the Liberal Party returned to power in 1892, Balfour was again appointed Lord Advocate. He held this role until 1895. In 1899, he was given two very high judicial positions: Lord Justice General of Scotland and Lord President of the Court of Session. These are the top judges in Scotland.
Becoming Baron Kinross
In 1902, John Balfour was honored by being made a Baron. This meant he became a member of the nobility. On July 15, 1902, he was given the title Baron Kinross. This allowed him to take a seat in the House of Lords, which is the upper house of the British Parliament. He officially joined the House of Lords on August 7, 1902.
Family Life
John Balfour married Lilias Oswald Mackenzie on August 4, 1869. Lilias was the daughter of Donald Mackenzie, who was also a judge. They had one son, Patrick Balfour, who later became the 2nd Baron Kinross.
After Lilias passed away, John married Marianne Eliza Moncrieff in 1877. Marianne was the daughter of James Moncreiff, 1st Baron Moncreiff. Together, they had five children: four sons and one daughter.
Lord Kinross passed away on January 22, 1905, at his home in Edinburgh. He was buried in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh.
Images for kids
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Baron Kinross monument, Dean Cemetery
