Sir Archibald Alison, 1st Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir Archibald Alison, 1st Baronet FRSE (29 December 1792 – 23 May 1867) was a Scottish advocate
and historian. He held several prominent legal appointments. He was the younger son of the Episcopalian
cleric and author Archibald Alison. His elder brother was the physician and social reformer William Alison.
, to the Rev Archibald Alison and his wife Dorothea Gregory, granddaughter of James Forbes, 17th Lord Forbes.
In 1800 his parents returned the family to Edinburgh, as his father thought that he could give his sons a better education and more independent careers in Scotland.
After studying under a private tutor, and at the University of Edinburgh
, he was, in 1814, admitted to the Faculty of Advocates
, at which he ultimately attained some distinction, becoming in 1834 Sheriff of Lanarkshire. In 1853, he received a Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law
by the University of Oxford
.
to the restoration of the Bourbons, and extends, in its original form (1833–42), to 10 volumes. The work is one of vast industry, but is extremely diffuse and one-sided, and often prosy.
Disraeli
satirises the author in Coningsby
as Mr. Wordy, who wrote a history to prove that Providence was on the side of the Tories. It had, however, an enormous sale. A continuation of it (1852–59) brought the story down to the Accession of Louis Napoleon. The work was popular was translated into many languages, including Arabic and Hindostee. Alison was also the author of a life of Marlborough, and of two standard works on the criminal law of Scotland.
, Aberdeen
, and of the University of Glasgow
. In 1852 he was created a baronet, during Lord Derby
's administration.
, Scotland
at the age of 74 and was succeeded in the baronetcy by his elder son, Sir Archibald Alison, 2nd Baronet
. The 1st Baronet's autobiography was published in 1883; his portrait was painted by Robert Scott Lauder
.
Advocate
An advocate is a term for a professional lawyer used in several different legal systems. These include Scotland, South Africa, India, Scandinavian jurisdictions, Israel, and the British Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man...
and historian. He held several prominent legal appointments. He was the younger son of the Episcopalian
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
cleric and author Archibald Alison. His elder brother was the physician and social reformer William Alison.
Background
He was born at the parsonage at Kenley, ShropshireKenley, Shropshire
Kenley is a small village and parish in the English county of Shropshire. It is located in remote countryside, atop a ridge at around above sea level, with the larger villages of Acton Burnell and Harley being a few miles away....
, to the Rev Archibald Alison and his wife Dorothea Gregory, granddaughter of James Forbes, 17th Lord Forbes.
In 1800 his parents returned the family to Edinburgh, as his father thought that he could give his sons a better education and more independent careers in Scotland.
After studying under a private tutor, and 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...
, he was, in 1814, admitted to the Faculty of Advocates
Faculty of Advocates
The Faculty of Advocates is an independent body of lawyers who have been admitted to practise as advocates before the courts of Scotland, especially the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary...
, at which he ultimately attained some distinction, becoming in 1834 Sheriff of Lanarkshire. In 1853, he received a Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law
Doctor of Civil Law
Doctor of Civil Law is a degree offered by some universities, such as the University of Oxford, instead of the more common Doctor of Laws degrees....
by the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
Author
When travelling in France in 1814 he conceived the idea of his Modern History of Europe from the French Revolution to the Fall of Napoleon, which deals with the period from the outbreak of the French RevolutionFrench Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
to the restoration of the Bourbons, and extends, in its original form (1833–42), to 10 volumes. The work is one of vast industry, but is extremely diffuse and one-sided, and often prosy.
Disraeli
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, KG, PC, FRS, was a British Prime Minister, parliamentarian, Conservative statesman and literary figure. Starting from comparatively humble origins, he served in government for three decades, twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom...
satirises the author in Coningsby
Coningsby (novel)
Coningsby, or The New Generation, is an English political novel by Benjamin Disraeli published in 1844.-Background:The book is set against a background of the real political events of the 1830s in England that followed the enactment of the Reform Bill of 1832...
as Mr. Wordy, who wrote a history to prove that Providence was on the side of the Tories. It had, however, an enormous sale. A continuation of it (1852–59) brought the story down to the Accession of Louis Napoleon. The work was popular was translated into many languages, including Arabic and Hindostee. Alison was also the author of a life of Marlborough, and of two standard works on the criminal law of Scotland.
Rector
He was elected Lord Rector successively of Marischal CollegeMarischal College
Marischal College is a building and former university in the centre of the city of Aberdeen in north-east Scotland. The building is owned by the University of Aberdeen and used for ceremonial events...
, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, and of 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...
. In 1852 he was created a baronet, during Lord Derby
Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, KG, PC was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley...
's administration.
Family and death
In 1825, he married Elizabeth Glencairn, the daughter of Patrick Tytler; the children from the marriage were Archibald, Frederick and Eliza Frances Catherine. Both sons became distinguished British officers. He died near GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
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...
at the age of 74 and was succeeded in the baronetcy by his elder son, Sir Archibald Alison, 2nd Baronet
Sir Archibald Alison, 2nd Baronet
General Sir Archibald Alison, 2nd Baronet GCB was a Scottish soldier who achieved high office in the British Army in the 1880s.-Military career:...
. The 1st Baronet's autobiography was published in 1883; his portrait was painted by Robert Scott Lauder
Robert Scott Lauder
Robert Scott Lauder was a Scottish mid-Victorian artist who described himself as a "historical painter". He was one of the original members of the Royal Scottish Academy.-Life and work:...
.
Works
- Modern History of Europe from the French Revolution to the Fall of Napoleon
- Life of Marlborough