John Hay Forbes, Lord Medwyn facts for kids
John Hay Forbes, Lord Medwyn (born September 19, 1776 – died July 25, 1854) was an important judge from Scotland. He was known for his long career in law and his contributions to the Scottish legal system.
Contents
John Hay Forbes: A Scottish Judge
Growing Up and Becoming a Lawyer
John Hay Forbes was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 19, 1776. He was the second son of Sir William Forbes, who was a well-known figure, and his mother, Elizabeth Hay.
John studied law at Edinburgh University. After finishing his studies, he became an "advocate" in 1799. An advocate is a type of lawyer in Scotland who can speak for people in higher courts.
His Important Jobs as a Judge
In 1807, John was given his first big job as a "Sheriff Depute of Perthshire." This meant he was a judge responsible for legal matters in the area of Perthshire.
Later, in January 1825, he became a "Lord of Session." This is a very high position for a judge in Scotland's main civil court. When he got this job, he took the special title of Lord Medwyn. This name came from his family estate in Perthshire.
Around the 1830s, Lord Medwyn lived in a nice house at 17 Ainslie Place in the west end of Edinburgh.
In December 1830, he was also made a "Lord of Justiciary." This meant he was a judge in Scotland's highest criminal court. He worked in this role until May 1849. He then retired from being a judge completely in October 1852. John Hay Forbes passed away in Edinburgh on July 25, 1854.
His Family and What They Did
John Hay Forbes married Louisa Cumming-Gordon. Her father was Sir Alexander Cumming-Gordon. John and Louisa had several children.
Their sons included William Forbes of Medwyn, Alexander Penrose Forbes, who became a "bishop" (a high-ranking church leader) in Brechin, and George Hay Forbes, who was an "Episcopalian clergyman" (a church minister) and started the Pitsligo Press, which printed books. Their daughters were Louisa Penuel Forbes and Helen Forbes.
Books He Helped With
Lord Medwyn also helped to edit a new version of a book. The book was called ‘Thoughts concerning Man's Condition and Duties in this Life, and his Hopes in the World to come’. It was originally written by Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Forbes of Pitsligo. Lord Medwyn's new edition came out in 1835, and a fourth edition was published in 1854.
How He's Remembered
A portrait, which is a painting of him, is kept at the University of St Andrews. This helps us remember what he looked like and his important role in Scottish history.
