David Dalrymple, Lord Westhall

The Hon David Dalrymple, Lord Westhall (1719–1784) was an 18th-century Scottish lawyer who rose to be a Senator of the College of Justice.

Life edit

 
The Lord Advocates house at the foot of Advocates Close

He was born on 27 August 1719 the fourth son of Hew Dalrymple, Lord Drummore (1690-1755) and his wife Ann Horne of Westhall near Aberdeen.[1] His paternal grandfather was Hew Dalrymple, Lord North Berwick. His maternal grandfather was Robert Hamilton, Lord Presmennan of East Lothian. His siblings included General Robert Horn Dalrymple.

He passed the Scottish Bar as an advocate in 1743. In 1746 he became Procurator to the Church of Scotland. In 1748 he became Sheriff of Aberdeen. In 1777 he succeeded James Ferguson, Lord Pitfour as Senator of the College of Justice.[2]

In Edinburgh he lived in former Lord Advocate's house at the foot of the aptly named Advocates Close, off the Royal Mile, opposite St Giles Cathedral.[3][4]

He moved from Advocates Close to the briefly fashionable properties on the Buccleuch Street (just south of George Square just after it was built, around 1782, and died there in 1784.[5]

Family edit

He was married to Jean Aberdein. They had at least ten children.[6]

Freemasonry edit

Dalrymple was a Scottish Freemason. He was Initiated in Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No. 2, on 7 October 1747.[7]

Death edit

He died on 26 April 1784. His position as a Senator was filled by Alexander Gordon, Lord Rockville.

References edit

  1. ^ "Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bt". Geni.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  2. ^ "David Dalrymple, of Westhall, Lord Westhall". Scottish Court of Session Records. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  3. ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1775
  4. ^ Cassell's Old and New Edinburgh
  5. ^ Edinburgh Post Office directory 1783/4
  6. ^ "David Dalrymple, Lord Westhall". Geni.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  7. ^ History of the Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No.2, compiled from the records 1677-1888. By Alan MacKenzie. 1888. P.245.