‘Acts,’ and in July 1865 began to compile with his assistants the ‘General Index’ to the whole work. This was published in 1875 after his death. Innes was an acute and learned student of ancient Scottish records, and singularly skilful as a decipherer. He was an active member and editor of the Bannatyne, Spalding, and Maitland clubs. He edited the chartularies of numerous Scottish religious houses, as well as various academical and municipal works of importance. In his ‘Scotland in the Middle Ages,’ 1860, and ‘Sketches of Early Scotch History,’ 1861 (the latter selected from his ‘Introductions to the Chartularies’), he displayed a sympathetic interest in the pre-Reformation period, and was accused of being a Roman catholic, though he was a member of the episcopal church. From 1846 till his death Innes held the post of professor of constitutional law and history at the university of Edinburgh. His lectures were attractive. He also gave valuable lectures on Scottish legal antiquities before the Juridical Society. While on a highland tour he died suddenly at Killin on 31 July 1874. His body was removed to Edinburgh, and buried in Warriston cemetery on 5 Aug. In appearance Innes was tall and handsome. He suffered from shyness, which sometimes took the form of nervous volubility in conversation. He was a keen sportsman, and amused himself with gardening. He had a great contempt for the mere bookworm, and said that more was to be learnt outside books than in them. As an antiquary he had no rival in his own line. In politics he was a whig. He advocated the claims of women students of medicine to graduate at the university of Edinburgh.
Innes married in 1826 Miss Rose of Kilravock, by whom he had nine children. The eldest son entered the Indian army, but died at twenty-four. The eldest daughter married in 1855 John Hill Burton [q. v.] the historian. During his married life Innes lived chiefly in or near Edinburgh, first at Ramsay Lodge; then at No. 6 Forres Street (where he was intimate with Francis Jeffrey [q. v.] and his family); subsequently at the Hawes, South Queensferry, and finally at Inverleith House, Edinburgh.
The following are Innes's principal publications (S. and B. indicate the publications of the Spalding and Bannatyne clubs respectively): 1. ‘Two Ancient Records of the Bishopric of Caithness,’ 1827, &c., 4to; also 1848, 4to, B. 2. ‘Registrum Monasterii de Passelet’ (Paisley), 1832, 4to, Maitland Club. 3. ‘Liber Sancte Marie de Melros,’ 1837, 4to, B. 4. ‘Registrum Episcopatus Moraviensis,’ 1837, 4to, B. 5. ‘Liber Cartarum Sancte Crucis. Munimenta Eccles. Sanct. Crucis de Edwinesburg,’ 1840, 4to, B. 6. ‘Registrum de Dunfermelyn,’ 1842, 4to, B. 7. ‘Registrum Episcopatus Glasguensis,’ 1843, 4to, B. 8. ‘Liber S. Marie de Calchou’ (Kelso Abbey), 1846, 4to, B. 9. ‘Liber Insule Missarum: Abbacii Canonic. Regul. … de Inchaffery registrum,’ 1847, 4to, B. 10. ‘Carte monialium de Northberwic’ (North Berwick Priory), 1847, 4to, B. 11. ‘Liber S. Thome de Aberbrothoc’ (Arbroath Abbey), ed. by C. Innes and P. Chalmers, 1848, &c., 4to, B. 12. ‘Registrum S. Marie de Neubotle’ (Newbattle Abbey), 1849, 4to, B. 13. ‘Origines Parochiales Scotiæ,’ 1850, 4to, B (a work of much research). 14. ‘Registrum Honoris de Morton,’ ed. completed by C. I., 1853, 4to. 15. ‘Fasti Aberdonenses,’ 1854, 8vo (selections from the records of the university and King's College of Aberdeen). 16. ‘The Black Book of Taymouth,’ 1855, 4to, B. 17. ‘Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis,’ 1856, 4to, S. 18. J. Barbour's ‘The Brus,’ 1856, 4to, S. 19. ‘The Book of the Thanes of Cawdor,’ 1859, 4to, S. 20. ‘Scotland in the Middle Ages,’ Edinburgh, 1860, 8vo (adapted from his university lectures). 21. ‘Sketches of Early Scotch History and Social Progress,’ Edinburgh, 1861, 8vo. 22. ‘An Account of the Familie of Innes’ (by Duncan Forbes (1644?–1704) [q. v.], with additions by C. I.), 1864, 4to, S. 23. ‘Ledger of A. Halyburton, 1492–1503,’ 1867, 8vo. 24. ‘Facsimiles of National Manuscripts of Scotland. Edited, with Introduction, by C. I.,’ 1867, &c., fol. 25. ‘Ancient Laws and Customs of the Burghs of Scotland,’ 1868, &c., 4to. 26. ‘Lectures on Scotch Legal Antiquities,’ Edinburgh, 1872, 8vo. 27. ‘Memoir of Dean Ramsay’ in the 22nd (1874) ed. of Ramsay's ‘Reminiscences.’ 28. Contributions to the ‘Quarterly Review’ and the ‘North British Review.’ (For Innes's work connected with the Scotch statutes, see above.).
[Memoir of Innes, Edinburgh, 1874, partly founded on obituary notices in the Scotsman, Courant, Glasgow Herald, Athenæum, and Pall Mall Gazette; Dr. J. A. H. Murray in the Academy for 15 Aug. 1874, p. 181; Brit. Mus. Cat.]
INNES or INNES-KER, JAMES, fifth Duke of Roxburgh (1736–1823). [See Ker.]
INNES, JOHN (d. 1414), bishop of Moray, a native of Moray, is reckoned by Forbes (Familie of Innes, 1698) as thirteenth laird of Innes, but it is not certain, though it is probable, that he belonged to that family. In 1389 he was a canon of Elgin Cathedral, in
