David Anderson, Lord St Vigeans (26 October 1862 – 1 June 1948) was a Scottish
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, ...
and judge. He served from 1918 to 1934 as the second Chairman of the
Scottish Land Court.
Early life
Anderson was born on 26 October 1862.
He was the son of Dr
Joseph Anderson (1832–1916), an
antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary () is an fan (person), aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient artifact (archaeology), artifac ...
who later served as keeper of the
National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland, was formed in 2006 with the merger of the new Museum of Scotland, with collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture of Scotland, culture and History of Scotland, history, and the ...
from 1870 to 1913.
His mother was Jessie Dempster.
[Anderson grave, Warriston Cemetery]
Career
Anderson was called to the
Scottish bar in 1891.
He was appointed as
Sheriff of Dumfries and Galloway in March 1913,
and in June 1913 he became a
King's Counsel
In the United Kingdom and in some Commonwealth countries, a King's Counsel ( post-nominal initials KC) during the reign of a king, or Queen's Counsel (post-nominal initials QC) during the reign of a queen, is a lawyer (usually a barrister or ...
.
In August 1917, he became
Sheriff of Renfrew and Bute.
In May 1918 he relinquished the post as sheriff to become Chairman of the
Scottish Land Court, taking the judicial title of Lord St Vigeans.
The title was derived from the ancient village of
St Vigeans
St Vigeans is a small village and parish in Angus, Scotland, immediately to the north of Arbroath. Originally rural, it is now more or less a suburb of the town of Arbroath.
History
The name St Vigeans is derived from ''Vigeanus'', a Latinised ...
in
Forfarshire
Angus ( sco, Angus; gd, Aonghas) is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Dundee City and Perth and Kinross. Main industries include agri ...
, where his father had been educated.
He succeeded the deceased
Lord Kennedy,
having twice served as temporary Chairman during periods of Kennedy's absence, in July 1914
and December 1915.
After 16 years as Chairman, Anderson submitted his resignation from the Land Court in early October 1934,
and retired from the bench on 1 November 1934. He was succeeded by
Robert Macgregor Mitchell
Robert MacGregor Mitchell (11 May 1875 – 25 April 1938) was a Scottish lawyer and judge, Liberal Member of Parliament and University Rector.
Early life
Mitchell was the son of Mary Rollo (1846–1933) and her husband, Robert Mitchell (1842â ...
.
In June 1935 he was awarded an
honorary doctorate of Law by the
University of Edinburgh.
Personal life
In 1898 Kennedy married Emma Millar Robertson, daughter of James Robertson of Edinburgh. They had one son, James, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1922.
Death
Anderson died in
Edinburgh on 1 June 1948, aged 85.
He is buried with his parents amongst the trees in the section north of the vaults in
Warriston Cemetery.
References
1862 births
1948 deaths
St Vigeans
St Vigeans is a small village and parish in Angus, Scotland, immediately to the north of Arbroath. Originally rural, it is now more or less a suburb of the town of Arbroath.
History
The name St Vigeans is derived from ''Vigeanus'', a Latinised ...
Members of the Faculty of Advocates
Scottish sheriffs
Scottish King's Counsel
20th-century King's Counsel
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