James Lorimer (jurist)
Encyclopedia
James Lorimer was a Scottish
jurist
and professor
of public law.
in Perthshire.
He was admitted to the Scottish bar in 1845. He became Regius Professor of Public Law at the University of Edinburgh
in 1862, a post he retained until his death.
Lorimer first rented Kellie Castle
in 1878 and it became the family home. His children included the painter John Henry Lorimer
and the architect Sir Robert Lorimer
.
A plaque in his memory is situated at the entrance to the Law Faculty at the University of Edinburgh.
His legal philosophy was one of Natural law
that stood against the prevailing Legal positivism
.
His concerns with the application of natural law to international relations were particularly influential in formalising the forms of inter-state recognition in 19th century continental Europe. In 1873 he was one of the founders of the Institut de Droit International
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
jurist
Jurist
A jurist or jurisconsult is a professional who studies, develops, applies, or otherwise deals with the law. The term is widely used in American English, but in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries it has only historical and specialist usage...
and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of public law.
Life
Lorimer was born in AberdalgieAberdalgie
Aberdalgie is a village in the Scottish council area of Perth and Kinross. It is located southwest of Perth, to the south of the B9112 road in Strathearn....
in Perthshire.
He was admitted to the Scottish bar in 1845. He became Regius Professor of Public Law at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1862, a post he retained until his death.
Lorimer first rented Kellie Castle
Kellie Castle
Kellie Castle is a castle just outside Arncroach, about 5 kilometres north of Pittenweem in the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland.-Early history:The earliest records of Kellie go back to 1150 where it is mentioned in a charter issued by King David I. The first known owner was Robert of London, the...
in 1878 and it became the family home. His children included the painter John Henry Lorimer
John Henry Lorimer
John Henry Lorimer was a Scottish painter who worked on portraits and genre scenes of everyday life.Lorimer was born in Edinburgh, the son of James Lorimer, who was Regius Professor of Public Law at Edinburgh University from 1862 to 1890...
and the architect Sir Robert Lorimer
Robert Lorimer
Sir Robert Stodart Lorimer was a prolific Scottish architect noted for his restoration work on historic houses and castles, and for promotion of the Arts and Crafts style.-Early life:...
.
A plaque in his memory is situated at the entrance to the Law Faculty at the University of Edinburgh.
Works
Lorimer's publications include The Institutes of Law: a Treatise of the Principles of Jurisprudence as Determined by Nature (1872) and The Institutes of the Law of Nations: a Treatise of the Jural Relations of Separate Political Communities (two volumes, 1884).His legal philosophy was one of Natural law
Natural law
Natural law, or the law of nature , is any system of law which is purportedly determined by nature, and thus universal. Classically, natural law refers to the use of reason to analyze human nature and deduce binding rules of moral behavior. Natural law is contrasted with the positive law Natural...
that stood against the prevailing Legal positivism
Legal positivism
Legal positivism is a school of thought of philosophy of law and jurisprudence, largely developed by nineteenth-century legal thinkers such as Jeremy Bentham and John Austin. However, the most prominent figure in the history of legal positivism is H.L.A...
.
His concerns with the application of natural law to international relations were particularly influential in formalising the forms of inter-state recognition in 19th century continental Europe. In 1873 he was one of the founders of the Institut de Droit International
Institut de droit international
The Institut de droit international is an organization devoted to the study and development of international law, whose membership comprises the world's leading public international lawyers...
.