Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Low, Alexander
LOW, ALEXANDER, Lord Low (1845–1910), Scottish judge, born on 23 Oct. 1845, was son of James Low of The Laws, Berwickshire, by his wife Jessy, daughter of George Turnbull of Abbey St. Bathans, Berwickshire. After education at Cheltenham College and at St. Andrews University, he proceeded to St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. with a first class in the moral science tripos in 1867. He studied law at Edinburgh University and passed to the Scottish bar on 22 Dec. 1870, joining the Juridical Society on 18 Jan. 1871. For some time he edited the 'Scottish Law Reporter,' and, becoming known as a sound lawyer and judicious pleader, rose steadily. He was a conservative, but never active in politics. In 1889 he was appointed sheriff of the counties of Ross, Chromarty, and Sutherland, and in 1800 was raised to the bench. As a judge he was even more successful than as an advocate. One most important lawsuit which came before him, when sitting as a judge of first instance, wan that in which the property of the 'Free Church' was claimed by members of that body who objected to its union with the. 'United Presbyterians' (1900). Low decided against this claim, and his judgment was adhered to by the inner house of the court of session, whose decision was, however, reversed on appeal to the House of Lords (1904). He resigned, owing to bad health, in the autumn of 1910, died at The Laws on 14 October of that year, and was buried at Whitsome, Berwickshire. Low, who married (1875) Annie, daughter of the Hon. Lord MacKenzie (Scottish judge), left one son. Mr. Jamea A. Low, C.A., Edinburgh, and two daughters. A portrait of him by Fiddes Watt is at The Laws.
[Scotsman and The Times, 15 Oct. 1910; Roll of the Faculty of Advocates; Records of the Juridical Society.]