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Thomas Craig

Male 1538 - 1608  (70 years)    Has 2 ancestors and more than 100 descendants in this family tree.

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  • Name Thomas Craig 
    Birth 1538  Craigston, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death 26 Feb 1608  Riccarton, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Siblings 1 Sibling 
    Person ID I571945  Geneagraphie
    Last Modified 7 Sep 2021 

    Father Robert Craig   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Katherine Bellenden   d. 1578 
    Family ID F310802  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Helen Hamilton   d. Abt 1575 
    Marriage Oct 1573 
    Children 
    +1. Lewis Craig,   b. 1569   d. Bef 6 Jun 1622 (Age 53 years)
    Family ID F130949  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 7 Sep 2021 

    Family 2 Helen Heriot   d. 1620 
    Marriage Aft 1568 
    Children 
     1. James Craig
    +2. Elizabeth Craig
    +3. Margaret Craig,   b. 1575   d. Yes, date unknown
    Family ID F98291  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 13 Jan 2014 

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  • Notes 
    • a distinguished lawyer and writer on the feudal law
      It is uncertain whether his father was Robert Craig, a merchant in Edinburgh, or William Craig of Craigfintry, afterwards Craigston in Aberdeenshire.
      In 1552 he was entered a student of St. Leonard's college, in the university of St. Andrews, which he quitted in 1555, after receiving his degree as bachelor of arts.
      He then proceeded to the university of Paris, where he studied the civil and canon laws.
      He returned to Scotland about 1561, was called to the bar in February 1563, and, in 1564, was made justice-depute. In 1566, when Prince James was born, Craig wrote a Latin hexameter poem of some length on the event, entitled 'Genethliacon Jacobi Principis Scotorum,' which is highly spoken of by Mr. Tytler in his Life of Sir Thomas Craig. This, and his 'Paraeneticon,' a poem written on the departure of King James for England, are inserted in the 'Delitiae Poetarum Scotorum.' Craig soon acquired an extensive practice at the bar, which he enjoyed for upwards of forth years.
      He was a convert to the protestant religion, and appears to have kept himself apart from the political intrigues and commotions of those distracted times, devoting himself to his professional duties, and, in his hours of relaxation, cultivating a taste for classical literature. His principal work is his learned treatise on the feudal law, entitled 'Jus Feudale,' which is held in such high estimation, that it has often been quoted both by historians and lawyers. It was completed in 1603, but not published till forty-seven years after his death. In January 1603 he wrote a Latin treatise on the right of James to the crown of England, an English translation of which was, by Dr. Gatherer, published in 1703.
      He was present at King James' entry into London, as well as at his coronation, which events he commemorated in a Latin hexameter poem.
      Having repeatedly declined the honour of knighthood, King James ordered that he should nevertheless enjoy the style and title. In 1604 he was one of the Scots commissioners nominated by his majesty to confer with others on the part of England, regarding the probability of a union between the two countries, a favourite project with King James.
      Sir Thomas wrote a work on this subject, which still remains in manuscript.
      He also wrote a treatise on the independent sovereignty of Scotland, entitled 'De Hominio,' which was translated into bad English by Mr. George Ridpath, and published in 1695.
      In the latter part of his life he became advocate for the church. Sir Thomas Craig died at Edinburgh, February 26, 1608.

      http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/craig.htm



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