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John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh

1836 – 1919

British politician

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About John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh

Lived 1836 – 1919 (aged 82). John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh was a British judge and politician.

Sir John Hay Athole Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh, KCB, PC, PRSSA, FRS, FRSE (27 December 1836 – 9 May 1919) was a Scottish Conservative Party

He was called to the Scottish bar in 1859. On 30 July 1875 he was appointed by Queen Victoria to be Sheriff of the Shires of Ross, Cromarty, and Sutherland. He was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland from 1876 to 1880. He was appointed as Sheriff of Perthshire in 1880, and served as Dean of the Faculty of Advocates from 1882 to 1885.

He gave up his Parliamentary seat and was appointed Lord Justice Clerk in 1888,

In 1875 he became one of the founding members of the ruling council of the Cockburn Association, Edinburgh's influential conservationist organisation, becoming the body's vice-president in 1887 and then its president in 1914, relinquishing the latter office in 1918.

In the 1916 Birthday Honours King George V created him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB).

He was an enthusiastic car owner and was a founding member of the Automobile Club and was the first president of the Scottish Automobile Club. He also registered Edinburgh's first ever number plate.

He died at home, 15 Abercromby Place, a short distance from his birthplace, on 9 May 1919. He is buried in St Cuthbert's Churchyard at the west end of Princes Street.

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
Occupation
Positions held
Member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, Member of the 24th Parliament of the United Kingdom, Member of the 23rd Parliament of the United Kingdom
Awards
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

People in John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh?

British politician (1836-1919)

When was John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh born?

John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh was born on 27 December 1836.

When did John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh die?

John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh died on 9 May 1919.

What was John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh's occupation?

John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh was a judge and politician.

What nationality was John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh?

John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh

· Wikidata: Q15994601

· DBpedia: John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh. https://biography.guide/john-macdonald-lord-kingsburgh/

MLA: "John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-macdonald-lord-kingsburgh/.

Chicago: "John Macdonald, Lord Kingsburgh." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-macdonald-lord-kingsburgh/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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