Sir William Rae


1769 - 1842

Lord Advocate and politician. The second son of Sir David Rae, Lord Eskgrove (1724 - 1804), Rae was educated at the High School in Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow and University of Edinburgh. He served as Lord Advocate (1819-30) and as such presided over the trial of William Burke (1769 - 1842). Rae was elected Member of Parliament for the Anstruther Burghs (1819-26), Harwich in England (1827-30), Buteshire (1830-31 and 1833-42), and for Portarlington in Ireland (1831-32). He was a friend of author Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832). Rae's home was at St. Katherine's at Howden Hall in S Edinburgh, where he died.


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