John Murray, Lord Bowhill facts for kids

John Murray (born around 1667 – died 24 March 1714) was an important Scottish lawyer and politician. He helped make laws and decisions for Scotland during a very interesting time in its history.

He was a representative, called a Commissioner, in the Parliament of Scotland for a place called Selkirk from 1689 to 1702. After that, he represented Selkirkshire from 1702 until 1707. This was the year the Act of Union happened, which joined Scotland and England to form Great Britain.

John Murray was chosen to be one of the first Scottish representatives in the new Parliament of Great Britain. However, he might not have actually served there because he was given a very important job as a judge. On 7 June 1707, he became a Lord of Session, which is a top judge in Scotland's highest court, and was known as Lord Bowhill.

Early Life and Education

John Murray was born in Scotland around the year 1667. We don't know the exact date, but we know he grew up in a family that was involved in law and public service. He studied to become a lawyer, which meant he learned all about the laws of the land and how to use them. Being a lawyer was a respected job back then, and it often led to other important roles in society.

Serving in Parliament

The Parliament of Scotland was like a big meeting where people from different parts of Scotland came together to make laws and discuss important issues for the country. John Murray was a "Commissioner," which was similar to being a Member of Parliament (MP) today. He represented the people of Selkirk and later Selkirkshire.

• Representing Selkirk: From 1689 to 1702, John Murray spoke for the town of Selkirk. This was a time of big changes in Scotland, including the "Glorious Revolution" which changed who was king and queen.
• Representing Selkirkshire: From 1702 until 1707, he represented the wider area of Selkirkshire. During this period, one of the most significant events in Scottish history took place: the discussions and eventual signing of the Act of Union.

The Act of Union 1707

The Act of Union 1707 was a very important agreement that joined the Kingdom of Scotland with the Kingdom of England to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. This meant that instead of having separate parliaments, there would be one single Parliament for Great Britain, located in London. John Murray was a part of the Scottish Parliament when these big decisions were being made.

Becoming a Judge: Lord Bowhill

After the Act of Union, John Murray was appointed as a Lord of Session. This is a very high position in the Scottish legal system, meaning he became a judge in the highest civil court in Scotland, called the College of Justice. When he became a judge, he took on a special title, Lord Bowhill. This shows how respected he was for his knowledge of the law. Being a judge meant he would help make sure laws were followed fairly and resolve disagreements between people.

Family Life

John Murray was the second son of John Murray and Anne Douglas. He had a brother named James Murray, Lord Philiphaugh, who also became a very important person, a judge like him. Through his mother, Anne Douglas, he was a first cousin to Archibald Douglas, 13th of Cavers. Many years later, he became the grandfather of another notable person, James Murray.