| Notes |
- The eldest son of Archibald Campbell of Succoth, he became Lord Advocate in 1784, succeeding Henry Erskine. He represented the Glasgow burghs in Parliament from 1784 to 1789, in which year he became Lord President of the Court of Session, in succession to Sir Thomas Miller. He was created a baronet in 1808.
In 'The Author's Earnest Cry and Prayer', Burns referred to him and Lord Frederick Campbell as 'true Campbells'. There is also a reference to him as Lord Advocate in the poem 'Extempore in the Court of Session'.
Lord Cockburn in Memorials of his Time, described Sir Ilay as having 'great experience and great reputation in every legal sphere'. His forensic writing was 'admirable', though 'his speaking, always admirable in matter, was the reverse of attractive. His voice was low and dull, his face sedate and hard.'
Sir Ilay's reports on the state of the courts of law in Scotland, which he compiled over a period of 15 years, are still valuable works of reference. Glasgow University conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws. He was Lord Rector of the University from 1799 to 1801.
Ilay Campbell 7th of Succoth chose to live at Garscube. He had been a successful lawyer like many of his predecessors and rose to the position of Solicitor General in 1783 and Lord Advocate in 1784 being made president of the Court of Session in 1789 under the title Lord Succoth. In 1784 he was made an honorary member of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, a very great honour. In 1808 he was created a baronet and continued an extensive lawyer's practice until he retired to Garscube House. During his life he extended the estate, buying land off his neighbours, one of whom was the proprietor of the Gairbraid Estate, Mary Hill.
|
1734 - 1823 (88 years)
