James Roberton, Lord Bedlay (c. 1590 – May 1664) was a

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and

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. He was born to Archibald Roberton of Stainhall, youngest son of John Roberton 9th Laird of Earnock, and Elizabeth Baillie, daughter of Robert Baillie of Jerviston.Earnock and its Early Proprietors, Hamilton Advertiser, n.d. July 1874 He inherited Bedlay Castle from his father, who bought it from James, the 8th Lord Boyd. He became Lord Bedlay upon the occasion of being raised to the judicial bench in 1661.

Education

Described as a man of great learning and integrity, Roberton matriculated at the

University of Glasgow The University of Glasgow (abbreviated as ''Glas.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals; ) is a Public university, public research university in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded by papal bull in , it is the List of oldest universities in continuous ...

in March 1605 and graduated M.A. in 1609.

Positions

He was appointed Regent (Professor) of Philosophy and Humanity of the University of Glasgow in 1618.Who, Where and When: The History and Constitution of the University of Glasgow, pg 75
He passed as advocate and was appointed a judge of the

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and a Justice-Deputy in 1626, a position he held without fee from 1626 to 1637. Several petitions to parliament finally resulted in back-pay and annual income in 1644. On 3 April 1646 he was chosen as rector of University of Glasgow and designated James Roberton, ''judex'', to distinguish him from namesake James Roberton, professor of Physiology. Roberton served on

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’s committee of war 1644 – 1648 and was commissary of

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1646 – 1650. Upon the Restoration Roberton was appointed judge and made an ordinary

Lord of Session The senators of the College of Justice in Scotland are judges of the College of Justice, a set of legal institutions involved in the administration of justice in Scotland. There are three types of senator: Lords of Session (judges of the Court ...

on 5 April 1661.

Allegiances

During

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’s

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Roberton declined the Oath of Abjuration and retired. His lands were not forfeit. Upon the Restoration, Roberton never took the oath. He petitioned the court their indulgence regarding his age and sickness for his non-attendance, asserting he had no scruples with the covenant. The Court granted him the privilege of appearing whenever his health would allow.

Family and associations

Roberton and his wife had three children. Their son Archibald retoured as heir on 17 June 1664. Their daughter Elizabeth married James Dunlop of Garnkirk, and their daughter Jean Dunlop married Patrick Coutts, grandfather of

Coutts Coutts & Co. () is a British private bank and wealth manager headquartered in London, England. Founded in 1692, it is the eighth oldest bank in the world. Today, Coutts forms part of NatWest Group's wealth management division. In the Channe ...

founders Thomas and James. Their youngest daughter Jean married John Rae of Auchingraymount. Roberton's sister Margaret married Scottish professor of divinity David Dickson.

Footnotes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberton, James 1590s births 1664 deaths Members of the Faculty of Advocates People from North Lanarkshire Senators of the College of Justice Alumni of the University of Glasgow Rectors of the University of Glasgow