| Archibald Alison | |
|---|---|
Sir Archibald Alison |
|
| Born | December 29, 1792 Parsonage of Kenley, Shropshire |
| Died | May 23, 1867 (aged 74) Possil House, Glasgow |
| Resting place | Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh |
| Occupation | Advocate Historian |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | Edinburgh University |
| Genres | Law History |
| Notable work(s) | Principles of the Criminal Law of Scotland (1832) The Practice of the Criminal Law (1833) History of Europe, 19 volumes (1833-) |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Glencairn Tytler (m. 1825) (d. 1874) |
| Relative(s) | Father: Rev Archibald Alison Brother: Professor William Alison Uncle: Professor James Gregory Cousin: Professor William Gregory |
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.
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He was born at the parsonage at Kenley, Shropshire, to the Rev Archibald Alison and his wife Dorothea Gregory, granddaughter of James Forbes, 17th Lord Forbes.[1]
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.[2]
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.[1]
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 Revolution 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 Hindustani. Alison was also the author of a life of Marlborough, and of two standard works on the criminal law of Scotland.
He was elected Lord Rector successively of Marischal College, Aberdeen, and of the University of Glasgow. In 1852 he was created a baronet, during Lord Derby's administration.
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 Glasgow, 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.
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane |
Rector of Marischal College, Aberdeen 1845 – ? |
Succeeded by Patrick Robertson, Lord Robertson |
| Preceded by Thomas Babington Macaulay |
Rector of the University of Glasgow 1850 – 1852 |
Succeeded by Earl of Eglinton |
| Baronetage of the United Kingdom | ||
| New creation | Baronet (of Possil House) 1852 – 1867 |
Succeeded by Archibald Alison |