About this Event
The Tumbling Lassie committee are delighted to welcome you to an evening talk with Richard Blake, on the life of John Grant, who was the Chief Justice of Jamaica from 1783 to 1790. John Grant was born in Invernesshire. He travelled as a young teenager to Nova Scotia, and then on to Jamaica. His manuscript records of legal decisions form the earliest set of Caribbean case reports.
John Grant was one of the famous Grants of Kilgraston. Richard Blake's recently published book, Sugar, Slaves and High Society (“such a well-researched and impressively written book” (Scottish Local History)) tells the story of the Grants, originally from Strathspey, who benefitted from significant wealth repatriated from Jamaica to Scotland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Grants were a fascinating family, who included a President of the Royal Academy of Arts, one of the earliest professional sculptresses, and “the best fighting man in the world” (George MacDonald Fraser).
Part of the Grant family’s legacy is to be found in Edinburgh: Sir Francis’s paintings in the National Galleries of Scotland; Mary’s sculptured reredos in St Mary’s Cathedral; and street names in the Grange--- Kilgraston Road, Strathearn Road and Hope Terrace.
About Richard Blake
Richard Blake studied Law at Edinburgh University and, many years later, was awarded a MSc from Dundee University. A WS, he was a partner in Condies and, subsequently, Consultant with Thorntons Law, both in Perth. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Past President of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, which is the oldest Natural History Society in the United Kingdom.
About the Tumbling Lassie committee
"But we have no slaves in Scotland..."
With these words, over 330 years ago, the Court of Session in Edinburgh rejected slavery...
But slavery still survives around the world, even in Scotland. The Tumbling Lassie committee exists to raise awareness and funds for charities fighting against modern slavery and people trafficking and to help survivors in Scotland and beyond.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Advocates Library, Advocates Library, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
GBP 10.00
