Lord Stonefield

The accompanying text in the volume states as follows:

"JOHN CAMPBELL, son of Archibald Campbell, Esq., of Stonefield, many years Sheriff-Depute of the shires of Argyle and Bute, was admitted to the bar in 1748, and elevated to the bench in 1762, when he assumed the title of Lord Stonefield. In 1787, he succeeded Lord Gardenstone as a Lord of Justiciary. This latter appointment he resigned in 1792, but he retained his seat on the bench till his death, which took place upon the 19th of June 1801, having been thirty-nine years a Judge of the Supreme Court. It is somewhat remarkable that he and his two immediate predecessors occupied the same seat on the bench for a period of ninety years. Lord Royston having been appointed a judge in 1710, and Lord Tinwald in 1744.

By his wife, Lady Grace Stuart, daughter of James second Earl of Bute, and sister of the Prime Minister, John the third Earl, his lordship had seven sons, all of whom predeceased him. The second of these was Lieut.-Colonel John Campbell, whose memorable defence of Mangalore, from May 1783 to January 1784, arrested the victorious career of Tippoo Sultan, and shed a lustre over the close of that calamitous war.

Lord Stonefield resided at one time in Elphinstone's Court, and latterly in George's Square. Of his lordship's professional history no record has been preserved. As a scholar, his attainments were considerable, and as a judge, his decisions were marked by conciseness of expression and soundness of judgment.

He was a zealous and liberal supporter of every scheme tending to promote the welfare and improvement of his native country."