Robert Handyside, Lord Handyside

Robert Handyside, Lord Handyside FRSE (1798–1858) was a Scottish lawyer and judge who served as Solicitor General for Scotland and a Lord of Session.

Life

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10 Moray Place, Edinburgh
 
The grave of Robert Handyside, Dean Cemetery

He was born at 46 South Hanover Street[1] in Edinburgh’s New Town on 26 March 1798, the son of Jane Cuninghame and William Handyside WS (1746–1818), a lawyer. His younger brother was Peter David Handyside. He studied law at the University of Edinburgh and was made an advocate in 1822.[2]

He served as Sheriff of Stirlingshire from 1840. In 1847 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh his proposer being John Fleming. In 1853 he succeeded Charles Neaves, Lord Neaves as Solicitor General for Scotland and also became a Lord of Session.[2]

In 1857 he was one of the several judges presiding in the trial of Madeleine Smith.[3]

Through his uncle he inherited the estate of Pencloe in Ayrshire.[4] Through his father-in-law he also inherited the estate of Kennet, Clackmannanshire.

In Edinburgh he lived in a large townhouse at 10 Moray Place, on the Moray Estate.[5]

He died at Kennet House on 17 April 1858.

Family

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He married Helen Balfour Bruce daughter of Alexander Bruce 9th of Kennet. Dying childless, his estates passed back to relatives in the Bruce family after his death.

References

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  1. ^ Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1798–99
  2. ^ a b Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783 – 2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X.
  3. ^ The Trial of Madeleine Smith, Douglas MacGowan
  4. ^ "Handyside". electricscotland.com. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  5. ^ Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1857–58