John Cunninghame, Lord Cunninghame (1782–1854) was a 19th-century Scottish lawyer who rose to be both Solicitor General of Scotland and a

Senator of the College of Justice The senators of the College of Justice are judges of the College of Justice, a set of legal institutions involved in the administration of justice in Scotland. There are three types of senator: Lords of Session (judges of the Court of Session); ...

Life

He was born in

Port Glasgow Port Glasgow ( gd, Port Ghlaschu, ) is the second-largest town in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland. The population according to the 1991 census for Port Glasgow was 19,426 persons and in the 2001 census was 16,617 persons. The most recen ...

in 1782 the eldest son of John Cunninghame, a banker in

Greenock Greenock (; sco, Greenock; gd, Grianaig, ) is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council areas of Scotland, council area in Scotland, United Kingdom and a former burgh of barony, burgh within the Counties of Scotland, historic ...

. He was apprenticed as a lawyer with Mr McNab WS who had offices at 89

Princes Street Princes Street ( gd, Sràid nam Prionnsan) is one of the major thoroughfares in central Edinburgh, Scotland and the main shopping street in the capital. It is the southernmost street of Edinburgh's New Town, stretching around 1.2 km (three ...

in Edinburgh. In 1805 he is listed as John Cunningham Writer to the Signet operating from 5 George Street in Edinburgh. He qualified as an advocate in March 1807. In 1810 he was operating as an

advocate An advocate is a professional in the field of law. Different countries' legal systems use the term with somewhat differing meanings. The broad equivalent in many English law–based jurisdictions could be a barrister or a solicitor. However, ...

from 20 Queen Street. The building still survives. In 1830 he was appointed Deputy to the Lord Advocate,

Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey (23 October 1773 – 26 January 1850) was a Scottish judge and literary critic. Life He was born at 7 Charles Street near Potterow in south Edinburgh, the son of George Jeffrey, a clerk in the Court of Session ...

. In 1831 he was appointed Sheroff of Elgin and Moray. In 1835 he succeeded Duncan McNeill as Solicitor General for Scotland. He then lived at 80 Great King Street in Edinburgh's Second New Town. In 1837 he succeeded

David Williamson, Lord Balgray The Hon David Robertson Williamson, Lord Balgray (1761–1837) was an 18th-century Scottish lawyer who rose to be a Senator of the College of Justice. Life He was born David Williamson in 1761, the son of Alexander Williamson of Balgray (17 ...

as a

. His position as Solicitor General was filled by

Andrew Rutherfurd, Lord Rutherfurd The Right Hon. Andrew Rutherfurd, Lord Rutherfurd, (born Andrew Greenfield; 21 June 1791 – 13 December 1854) was a Scottish advocate, judge and politician. Early life Rutherfurd was born at Bristo Port (near Greyfriars Kirkyard) in Edinburg ...

. He resigned due to ill health in 1853 and died in Edinburgh on 26 October 1854 and is buried in

Dean Cemetery The Dean Cemetery is a historically important Victorian cemetery north of the Dean Village, west of Edinburgh city centre, in Scotland. It lies between Queensferry Road and the Water of Leith, bounded on its east side by Dean Path and on ...

in the west of the city.

Family

He was married to Margaret Richard Fisher Trotter, daughter of Lt General Alexander Trotter and sister of Richard Trotter of

Mortonhall Mortonhall is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the south edge of the city. The area is along the western end of the Frogston Road between Fairmilehead and Gilmerton; it is just to the south of Liberton and the Braid Hills. The area was t ...

Artistic recognition

In 1811 he was portrayed by John Kay. His portrait in the role of Solicitor General of Scotland was made in 1836 and is held in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

References

1782 births 1854 deaths People from Port Glasgow 19th-century Scottish judges Senators of the College of Justice {{Scotland-law-bio-stub