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Duncan McNeill, 1st Baron Colonsay: A Study in Scottish Legal and Political Fortitude
Duncan McNeill, a name that echoes through the hallowed, and frankly, rather dusty halls of Scottish jurisprudence and politics, was a figure of considerable weight. Born on the windswept isle of Oronsay in the Inner Hebrides on August 20, 1793, he navigated his life with the precision of a seasoned sailor charting a course through treacherous waters. His journey concluded on January 31, 1874, in the comparatively balmy climes of Pau, France, leaving behind a legacy as a distinguished advocate, a formidable judge, and a politician who wasn't afraid to align himself with the Tory party. For a significant period, from 1852 to 1867, he held the esteemed positions of Lord Justice General and Lord President of the Court of Session, titles that suggest a man who understood the intricate dance of Scots law better than most.
The caricature by Leslie Ward for Vanity Fair in September 1873, depicting him as Lord Colonsay, offers a glimpse into how he was perceived—a figure of authority, perhaps, but also one carrying the gravitas of decades spent wrestling with legal complexities. His final resting place is Warriston Cemetery in Edinburgh, a somber testament to a life lived in service, though the theft of the bronze coat of arms from his monument speaks to the less reverent aspects of human nature.
Humble Beginnings, Grand Ambitions
McNeill’s lineage traces back to John McNeill, the laird of Colonsay and Oronsay, and his wife Hester (née McNeill). His upbringing on the islands, far from the bustling centers of power, likely instilled in him a grounded perspective, a trait that would serve him well in his later career. His education began at St Andrew's University, where he earned his Master of Arts in 1809. This academic grounding was crucial, forming the bedrock upon which his formidable legal career would be built.
His practical legal training commenced in Edinburgh under the tutelage of Michael Linning WS, a period likely spent absorbing the nuances of legal practice within the city's established circles. The formal entry into the legal profession came in 1816 when he became a member of the prestigious Faculty of Advocates. It’s worth noting, with a certain morbid curiosity perhaps, that he was considered the presumptive father of the philosopher Edmund Montgomery, a detail that adds a layer of personal intrigue to his otherwise public persona.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Law and Politics
McNeill’s career was a steady ascent through the ranks of the Scottish legal and political establishment. His early service as Advocate Depute in Edinburgh from 1820 to 1824 provided him with invaluable experience in criminal prosecution and advocacy. This was followed by his appointment as Sheriff of Perthshire in 1824, a position that broadened his judicial experience.
His political acumen and legal prowess did not go unnoticed by the Conservatives. Under the leadership of Sir Robert Peel, McNeill served as Solicitor General for Scotland for two distinct periods: first from 1834 to 1835, and then again from 1841 to 1842. These roles were critical stepping stones, demonstrating his capability in advising the government on Scottish legal matters. His tenure as Lord Advocate from 1842 to 1846 solidified his position as a key figure in Scottish legal administration.
Beyond his legal roles, McNeill also represented Argyllshire as a Member of Parliament from 1843 to 1851. This period in Westminster would have exposed him to the broader political landscape and the intricacies of national governance.
His judicial career reached its zenith in 1851 when he was appointed a Senator of the College of Justice and an Ordinary Lord of Session, taking the judicial title Lord Colonsay and Oronsay. The subsequent elevation to Lord Justice General and Lord President of the Court of Session in 1852 marked him as the preeminent judge in Scotland. He held these pivotal roles until 1867, overseeing the highest civil court in Scotland and presiding over its criminal court. His distinguished service was further recognized in 1867 when he was raised to the peerage as Baron Colonsay, of Colonsay and Oronsay in the County of Argyll, on February 26. This title, however, was to be short-lived, becoming extinct upon his death.
A Man of Society and Academia
McNeill was not merely a figure confined to the courtroom or the parliamentary chamber. His intellectual engagement extended to scholarly societies. In 1829, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a testament to his standing within the intellectual community. His proposer, John Shank More, clearly recognized the value McNeill brought to such an esteemed body. Later in life, Edinburgh University bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate (LLD), an acknowledgment of his significant contributions to law and public life.
His social connections were also evident. He was a member of the Highland Society of Edinburgh in 1833, suggesting an engagement with broader Scottish cultural and agricultural interests.
Personal Life: A Solitary Figure
Despite his public prominence, Duncan McNeill remained unmarried. His personal life was centered in Edinburgh, where he resided in a substantial Georgian townhouse at 73 Great King Street, a notable address within Edinburgh's Second New Town. This grand residence likely served as a reflection of his status and success, a quiet counterpoint to the bustling professional life he led.
The Final Chapter and Enduring Legacy
Lord Colonsay passed away at the age of 80 in Pau, France, on January 31, 1874. His death marked the extinction of the barony of Colonsay. His remains were interred in the aforementioned Warriston Cemetery in Edinburgh. The monument there, once bearing his bronze coat of arms, now stands as a silent witness to his passing, the missing emblem a stark reminder of the ephemeral nature of worldly possessions and honors.
His coat of arms, a complex heraldic display, included a coronet of a Baron, a mailed arm holding a dagger as its crest, and an escutcheon quartered with various symbols, including a lion rampant and a salmon naiant, all within a bordure ermine. The supporters were two Highland deerhounds, and his motto, "Vincere aur mori," translates to "To conquer or die," a sentiment that perhaps encapsulates his determined approach to life and career.