Alexander Irving, Lord Newton


Prof Alexander Irving, Lord Newton FRSE was a Scottish judge who served as professor of civil law at Edinburgh University from 1800 to 1826. He was a Senator of the College of Justice.

Life

He was born on 12 October 1766, the son of George Irving of Newton, by Elvanfoot and his wife, Mary Chancellor. The Irvings of Newton were a cadet branch of the Scottish family the Irvines of Drum.
He was educated at Edinburgh High School 1773 to 1777 and then studied law at Edinburgh University. He was created an advocate in 1788.
He became a professor of civil law at Edinburgh University in 1800 and in the same year took over as manager of the Scots Mining Company, then based at Leadhills. In the final six years of his life he left the university to concentrate on his practical legal skills, becoming a Senator of the College of Justice. At this time he was living at 5 Buccleuch Place, a large flat in Edinburgh’s South Side.
In 1804 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were John Playfair, Andrew Coventry, and Thomas Charles Hope. He served as president of the Society’s Physical branch 1823 to 1828 and as their vice president 1828 to 1832.
In December 1826 he was created a Senator of the College of Justice and given the title of Lord Newton.
He died following a painful operation on kidney stones after which he became infected, dying on 3 March 1832.

Family

In 1814 he married Bethenia Irving. Their only son was George Vere Irving FSA.