Sir John Anstruther, 4th Baronet

Life

He was born on 27 March 1753, the second son of Sir John Anstruther of Elie House, Fife. He was educated at Glasgow University under John Millar, and called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1779. He practised chiefly before the House of Lords in Scotch appeals and was M.P. for Cockermouth, 1790–96.

He was an active supporter of Charles James 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. He had legal connections with Samuel Romilly and shared with Jeremy Bentham an interest in Enlightenment ideas. In 1797 he was appointed Chief Justice of Bengal and created a baronet in 1798. From 1799 to 1807 he was President of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. In 1806 he returned to Britain, was sworn on the privy council and re-entered parliament the same year as member for the Anstruther district of burghs.

In 1808 he succeeded to his father's baronetcy in addition to his own. He died in London 26 January 1811 and was succeeded by his son Sir John Carmichael-Anstruther, 5th Baronet, who also took his place as MP for Anstruther Burghs.

Family

His daughter Marion Anstruther (1797–1859) married his nephew Robert Anstruther WS (1803–1867) and is buried with him in Dean Cemetery.