James Craufurd, Lord Ardmillan

James Craufurd, Lord Ardmillan (12 September 1805 – 7 September 1876) was a Scottish judge.

Background and education Born at Havant in Hampshire, he was eldest son of Jane, eldest daughter of John Leslie, and Major Archibald Clifford Blackwell Craufurd of Ardmillan. He was educated at the Ayr Academy and the Royal High School, Edinburgh. He attend the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 1829 he passed his examination in Roman and Scots law, and became an advocate in 1829.

He temporarily settled in Edinburgh, "James Craufurd, advocate" being listed as the owner of 2 Doune Terrace on the Moray Estate in Edinburgh's fashionable west end in 1833.

Early career His progress at the bar was not rapid, but he nevertheless acquired a considerable criminal business both in the Court of Justiciary and in the church courts. He did not have much civil business, although he could address juries very effectively. On 14 March 1849 he became Sheriff of Perth, and four years later, 16 November 1853, was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland under the administration of George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen.