Thomas Shaw, 1st Baron Craigmyle facts for kids
Thomas Shaw, who later became known as Lord Craigmyle, was an important Scottish politician and judge. He was born on May 23, 1850, and lived until June 28, 1937. He was a member of the Liberal Party, which is one of the main political parties in the United Kingdom.
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Early Life and Education
Thomas Shaw grew up in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. He went to Dunfermline High School and then studied at Edinburgh University. He was a very good student and later received special degrees from St Andrews University in 1902 and the University of Aberdeen in 1906. He also held a special research position at Edinburgh University, focusing on philosophy.
Becoming a Lawyer and Politician
After his studies, Thomas Shaw became an advocate in 1875. An advocate is a type of lawyer in Scotland who speaks for people in court. By 1894, he became a Queen's Counsel, which is a special title for experienced lawyers.
In 1892, Thomas Shaw was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for a place called Hawick Burghs. An MP is someone elected to represent their area in the UK Parliament. He served as an MP until 1909.
While he was an MP, he also held important legal jobs for the government in Scotland:
- He was the Solicitor General for Scotland from 1894 to 1895. This is a top legal advisor to the Scottish government.
- He then became the Lord Advocate from 1905 to 1909. This is the main legal officer for the Scottish government.
Joining the House of Lords
In 1909, Thomas Shaw left his job as an MP and his government roles. He was given a special title called Baron Shaw, which made him a life peer. This meant he could sit in the House of Lords, which is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. He became a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, which is a judge who hears important legal cases in the House of Lords.
He worked as a judge in the House of Lords until 1929. When he retired, he was given another special title, Baron Craigmyle. This time, it was an hereditary peerage, meaning the title could be passed down to his children.
Family Life
Lord Craigmyle married Elspeth Forrest in 1879. He passed away in June 1937 when he was 87 years old. His son, Alexander, inherited his hereditary title. Lady Craigmyle passed away a few years later in 1939.
