Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Anstruther, John

655191Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 02 — Anstruther, John1885James Sutherland Cotton

ANSTRUTHER, Sir JOHN (1753–1811), politician and Anglo-Indian judge, was the second son of Sir John Anstruther, bart., of Elie House, Fifeshire. He was born 27 March 1753; educated at Glasgow University under Professor Millar; called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1779; practised chiefly before the House of Lords in Scotch appeals; and was M.P. for Cockermouth, 1790-96. He was an active supporter of Fox, and one of the managers appointed to conduct the impeachment of Warren Hastings, his duty being to sum up the evidence on the charge relating to Benares, and to open the charge relating to presents. In 1797 he was appointed chief justice of Bengal, and created a baronet; in 1806 he returned to England; was immediately sworn on the privy council, and re-entered parliament as member for the Kilrenny district of burghs. In 1808 he succeeded to his father's baronetcy; and died in London 26 Jan. 1811.

[Gent, Mag. lxxxi. 683, lxxxii. 494.]

J. S. C.

Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.7
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line

Page Col. Line  
45 i 11 f.e. Anstruther, Sir John: after 1790-96 insert and for Crail and Anstruther district of Burghs 1796-7. He was solicitor-general to the Prince of Wales 1793-5
4 f.e. for and created a baronet read and in 1798 was created a baronet