William Fraser

Sir William N. Fraser, (18 February 1816 – 13 March 1898) was a solicitor and notable expert in ancient Scottish history, palaeography, and genealogy. Life Fraser's family were farmers and craftsmen in The Mearns. He was the eldest of the two sons and daughter of Ann (died 1821) and James Fraser (1786 – 1834), a mason. His mother was the daughter of James Walker, tenant of the farm of Elfhill of Fetteresso, about from Stonehaven. The couple were settled and were feuholders at Links of Arduthie. Fraser was initially educated at a private school in Stonehaven kept by the Reverend Charles Michie. Michie graduated with an MA from Aberdeen's Marischal College in 1810, and spent his life teaching. On 23 August 1830, Fraser began a five-year apprenticeship with Messrs Brand and Burnett, solicitors in Stonehaven. He went to Edinburgh in December 1835, where he joined the firm of Hill and Tod, Writers to Her Majesty's Signet. He continued his education at the University of Edinburgh studying Scots law and conveyancing. In 1838 he was taking classes in French.