Lorimer, James, 1818-1890 (Professor of Law)
Dates
- Existence: 1818 - 1890
Biography
Jurist and political philosopher James Lorimer was born at Aberdalgie, in Perthshire, on 4 November 1818. He was educated at Perth High School, and then at the universities of Edinburgh, Berlin, and Bonn, and also in Geneva, studying Philosophy, Zoology and Chemistry. A brief career in commerce followed, in Glasgow, but in 1845 he was admitted as a member of the Faculty of Advocates of Scotland. Some practice at the bar followed and experience as sheriff-substitute of Midlothian but his career was to continue in the development of jurisprudence. Lorimer made his mark as an author with 'The universities of Scotland past, present, and possible'(1854), 'Political progress not necessarily democratic, or, Relative equality the true foundation of liberty' (1857), 'Constitutionalism of the future, or, Parliament the mirror of the nation' (1865).
In 1865 he was appointed to the Chair of 'The Law of Nature and of Nations'. He then devoted his energy into teaching the philosophy of law and described his system in 'Institutes of law' (1872) which was translated into French in 1890. Though familiar to continental European lawyers, Lorimer's school of thought which attached little importance to the historical method, tended to be ignored in England where the utilitarian and positive schools were strong. Lorimer's method of jurisprudence, that of constructing a system of reasoning from cause to effect, was more appreciated in France and Germany. Lectures in international law were expanded in 'The institutes of the law of nations: a treatise of the jural relations of separate political communities' (1883-1884). In his work he discussed neutrality, nationality, and proportional disarmament. Lorimer even put forward a scheme for the organisation of an international government of Europe with Geneva as its centre.
At Edinburgh University, he sought to develop the Faculty of Law and extended its studies in order to qualify its graduates not only for the practice of law in Scotland but for the civil and diplomatic services. Lorimer was an advocate of political reforms such as proportional representation and the enfranchisement of women. Professor James Lorimer died in Edinburgh on 13 February 1890. He was survived by his wife, Hannah Stodart (1835-1916), and children: James Lorimer (1852-1898), Hannah Cassels Lorimer (1854-1947), John Henry Lorimer (1856-1936), Janet Alice Lorimer (1857-1946), Caroline Louise Lorimer (1861-1946) and Robert Lorimer (1864-1929).
Found in 167 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir David Chalmers from James Lorimer, 18 October 1887
Letter in English from James Lorimer to Sir David Chalmers on the subject of his marriage to Janet Alice Chalmers and his aspirations for his family dated 18 october 1887.
Letter to Sir David Chalmers from James Lorimer, c 1887
Letter from James Lorimer to Sir David Chalmers on the subject of David's idea to write a book on Roman-Dutch law and its applications in the colonies dated c. 1887.
Newspaper clipping in English on death of Robert Riddle Stodart, 20 April 1886
Newspaper cutting on the subject of the death of Robert Riddle Stodart, dated 20 April 1886.
Newspaper clipping in French on James Lorimer, c 1877
Newspaper clipping in French with an article on James Lorimer's lectures at the University of Edinburgh, on the following subject: "Does the Coran supply an ethical basis on which a political superstructure can be rised?".
Papers of Professor James Lorimer
The Lorimer papers consist of: manuscript material on Institutes of law; manuscript material and proofs for The institutes of the law of nations; lectures and University papers; biographical material compiled from Lorimer's family history; articles, offprints and correspondence; pamphlets on the Eastern Question; and, printed papers and cuttings. There are bound volumes containing lectures, notes and printed matter.
Postcard from James Lorimer to "Madame Lorimer" possibly Hannah Stordart Lorimer, 2 June 1894
Postcard from James Lorimer to "Madame Lorimer" on the subject of his wanderings to different sites around Paris dated 2 June 1894.
Two letters on one page, the first from Thomas Hay-Drummond, 11th Earl of Kinnoull, to James Lorimer; the second from J L (possibly James Lorimer the senior) to James Lorimer., 5-7 March 1849
Two letters on the same page in English: the first from Thomas Hay-Drummond, Earl of Kinnoul, to James Lorimer about a matter regarding Mr Richardson; the second from J L, possibly James Lorimer's father, James Lorimer, on the subject of family matters such as his wife's concerns, dated 5-7 March 1849.