Neil MacCormick
Encyclopedia
Sir Neil MacCormick, QC
, FBA, FRSE
(27 May 1941 – 5 April 2009), or just Neil MacCormick, was a legal philosopher and Scottish politician. He was Regius Professor
of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations at the University of Edinburgh
from 1972 until 2008. He was a sometime Member of the European Parliament
, member of the Convention on the Future of Europe, and officer of the Scottish National Party
(SNP).
. He read for an M.A. in Philosophy and English Literature at the University of Glasgow
, before benefiting from a Snell Exhibition and taking the B.A. in Jurisprudence at Balliol College, Oxford
. At Oxford, MacCormick came under the influence of Professor H. L. A. Hart
, and developed an interest in legal philosophy. In 1982 he was awarded the research degree of LL.D. by Edinburgh
. He was a member of the Broadcasting Council for Scotland, of the Economic and Social Research Council
, of the Research Council of the European University Institute
, and of the European Science Foundation, as well as of various government departmental committees inquiring into matters of public concern.
In 1999, MacCormick was appointed Queen's Counsel
'honoris causa', and was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2001 in recognition of services to scholarship in Law. In 2004 he was a recipient of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Royal Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement. He was the recipient of honorary degrees from Queen’s University (Canada), Uppsala University
(Sweden), University of Macerata
(Italy) and Saarland University
(Germany), as well as from Glasgow University, Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh University. He was president of the International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy
.
Just after retiring from his chair at Edinburgh University in 2008, MacCormick was diagnosed with inoperable cancer.
Professor MacCormick died on the 5th April 2009.
(Queen's College, Dundee) from 1965-67. Following this, he was a Fellow and Tutor in Jurisprudence, Balliol College, Oxford 1968-1972, and thereafter held the Regius Chair of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations at Edinburgh University. He was also Leverhulme Research Professor at Edinburgh from 1997–1999, and from 2004-2008. In addition, he held the position of Dean of Law Faculty between 1973–76 and was sometime Provost of the Faculty Group of Law and Social Science, and Vice-Principal for International Affairs.
Professor MacCormick retired from the Regius Chair on 1 February 2008 after completing 36 years as Professor (and later Senior Professor) at Edinburgh University. He was accorded with the honour of a series of lectures in his name by the University's School of Law
, and delivered the School of Law's opening Tercentenary Lecture, introduced by former Lord President Lord Cullen, on 18 January 2007. He gave his final lecture as Regius Professor, entitled 'Just Law', on Monday 28 January 2008. He continued thereafter in his role as President of the International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy.
His successor to the Regius Chair is Professor Neil Walker
.
Member of the European Parliament
, for the SNP, elected in 1999, taking a leave of absence from the University of Edinburgh. Professor MacCormick was a member of the Convention on the Future of Europe from 2002–3, drafting the proposed Constitutional Treaty for the European Union. He was voted Scottish Euro MP of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2003 at the Scottish Politician of the Year
Awards, and retired from elected office in 2004 to complete his Leverhulme Research Professorship at Edinburgh.
In 2007 MacCormick was appointed as a special advisor on Europe to the newly elected SNP-led
Scottish Government.
ian critiques of the Hart
ian conception of law, and it is seen by some as showing a middle ground between the two.
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, FBA, FRSE
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
(27 May 1941 – 5 April 2009), or just Neil MacCormick, was a legal philosopher and Scottish politician. He was Regius Professor
Regius Professor
Regius Professorships are "royal" professorships at the ancient universities of the United Kingdom and Ireland - namely Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dublin. Each of the chairs was created by a monarch, and each appointment, save those at Dublin, is approved by the...
of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations 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...
from 1972 until 2008. He was a sometime Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
, member of the Convention on the Future of Europe, and officer of the Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
(SNP).
Biography
Born 27 May 1941, he was the son of one of the SNP's founders, John MacCormickJohn MacCormick
John MacDonald MacCormick was a lawyer and advocate of Home Rule in Scotland.-Early life:...
. He read for an M.A. in Philosophy and English Literature at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, before benefiting from a Snell Exhibition and taking the B.A. in Jurisprudence at Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
. At Oxford, MacCormick came under the influence of Professor H. L. A. Hart
H. L. A. Hart
Herbert Lionel Adolphus Hart was an influential legal philosopher of the 20th century. He was Professor of Jurisprudence at Oxford University and the Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. He authored The Concept of Law....
, and developed an interest in legal philosophy. In 1982 he was awarded the research degree of LL.D. by 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...
. He was a member of the Broadcasting Council for Scotland, of the Economic and Social Research Council
Economic and Social Research Council
The Economic and Social Research Council is one of the seven Research Councils in the United Kingdom. It receives most of its funding from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and provides funding and support for research and training work in social and economic issues, such as...
, of the Research Council of the European University Institute
European University Institute
The European University Institute ' in Florence is an international postgraduate and post-doctoral teaching and research institute established by European Union member states to contribute to cultural and scientific development in the social sciences, in a European perspective...
, and of the European Science Foundation, as well as of various government departmental committees inquiring into matters of public concern.
In 1999, MacCormick was appointed Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
'honoris causa', and was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2001 in recognition of services to scholarship in Law. In 2004 he was a recipient of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Royal Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement. He was the recipient of honorary degrees from Queen’s University (Canada), Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
(Sweden), University of Macerata
University of Macerata
The University of Macerata is a university located in Macerata, Italy. It was founded in 1290 and is organized in 7 Faculties.-Organization:These are the 7 faculties in which the university is divided into:* Faculty of Communication Sciences...
(Italy) and Saarland University
Saarland University
Saarland University is a university located in Saarbrücken, the capital of the German state of Saarland, and Homburg. It was founded in 1948 in Homburg in co-operation with France and is organized in 8 faculties that cover all major fields of science...
(Germany), as well as from Glasgow University, Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh University. He was president of the International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy
International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy
International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy , known as IVR from its initials in German, is a learned society.It holds an international conference every two years...
.
Just after retiring from his chair at Edinburgh University in 2008, MacCormick was diagnosed with inoperable cancer.
Professor MacCormick died on the 5th April 2009.
Academia
MacCormick was a Lecturer in Jurisprudence at the University of St AndrewsUniversity of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
(Queen's College, Dundee) from 1965-67. Following this, he was a Fellow and Tutor in Jurisprudence, Balliol College, Oxford 1968-1972, and thereafter held the Regius Chair of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations at Edinburgh University. He was also Leverhulme Research Professor at Edinburgh from 1997–1999, and from 2004-2008. In addition, he held the position of Dean of Law Faculty between 1973–76 and was sometime Provost of the Faculty Group of Law and Social Science, and Vice-Principal for International Affairs.
Professor MacCormick retired from the Regius Chair on 1 February 2008 after completing 36 years as Professor (and later Senior Professor) at Edinburgh University. He was accorded with the honour of a series of lectures in his name by the University's School of Law
University of Edinburgh School of Law
The University of Edinburgh School of Law, founded in 1707, is a school within the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, dedicated to research and teaching in law. Known today as Edinburgh Law School, it is located in the historic Old College, the original site of the University...
, and delivered the School of Law's opening Tercentenary Lecture, introduced by former Lord President Lord Cullen, on 18 January 2007. He gave his final lecture as Regius Professor, entitled 'Just Law', on Monday 28 January 2008. He continued thereafter in his role as President of the International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy.
His successor to the Regius Chair is Professor Neil Walker
Neil Walker (lawyer)
Neil Craig Walker, FRSE, is a Scottish lawyer and Regius Professor of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations at the School of Law of the University of Edinburgh...
.
Political career
He was a ScottishScotland
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...
Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
, for the SNP, elected in 1999, taking a leave of absence from the University of Edinburgh. Professor MacCormick was a member of the Convention on the Future of Europe from 2002–3, drafting the proposed Constitutional Treaty for the European Union. He was voted Scottish Euro MP of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2003 at the Scottish Politician of the Year
Scottish Politician of the Year
Scottish Politician of the Year is an annual award established in 1999. It is held by The Herald newspaper in Prestonfield, Edinburgh, Scotland....
Awards, and retired from elected office in 2004 to complete his Leverhulme Research Professorship at Edinburgh.
In 2007 MacCormick was appointed as a special advisor on Europe to the newly elected SNP-led
Government of the 3rd Scottish Parliament
The Government of the 3rd Scottish Parliament was formed after the 2007 elections to the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government is headed by First Minister Alex Salmond.- First Salmond government :...
Scottish Government.
Academic works
MacCormick wrote numerous journal articles and books, concentrating both on Law in a European context and the philosophy of law. Works such as Legal Right and Social Democracy: Essays in Legal and Political Philosophy (1984), Legal Reasoning and Legal Theory (1978), Rhetoric and The Rule of Law (2005) and Institutions of Law (2007) all convey his particular brand of legal philosophy. Legal Reasoning and Legal Theory answers many of the DworkinRonald Dworkin
Ronald Myles Dworkin, QC, FBA is an American philosopher and scholar of constitutional law. He is Frank Henry Sommer Professor of Law and Philosophy at New York University and Emeritus Professor of Jurisprudence at University College London, and has taught previously at Yale Law School and the...
ian critiques of the Hart
H. L. A. Hart
Herbert Lionel Adolphus Hart was an influential legal philosopher of the 20th century. He was Professor of Jurisprudence at Oxford University and the Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. He authored The Concept of Law....
ian conception of law, and it is seen by some as showing a middle ground between the two.
External links
- Professor MacCormick's home page at the Law School, University of Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Legal Theory Research Group, Law School, University of Edinburgh
- Radio interview on Philosophy TalkPhilosophy TalkPhilosophy Talk is a talk radio program co-hosted by John Perry and Ken Taylor, who are professors at Stanford University. The show is also available as a podcast, available for purchase. The program deals both with fundamental problems of philosophy and with the works of famous philosophers,...
- Short biography
- Obituary, Daily Telegraph, 6 April 2009
- Obituary, The ScotsmanThe ScotsmanThe Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
, 6 April 2009 - Obituary, The TimesThe TimesThe Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
, 6 April 2009 - Obituary, The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, 7 April 2009 - Tributes page, SNP.