Anstruther, Sir John 1753-1811, politician and Anglo-Indian judge, born 27 March 1753, was second son of Sir John Anstruther, bart., of Elie House, Fifeshire. Educated at Glasgow University under Professor Millar, he was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1779; practised chiefly before the House of Lords in Scotch appeals; and was M.P. for Cockermouth 1790-96 and for Craik and Anstruther district of burghs 1796-7. He was solicitor-general to the Prince of Wales 1793-5. An active supporter of Fox, and one of the managers of the impeachment of Warren Hastings, he summed up the evidence on the charge relating to Benares, and opened the charge relating to presents. In 1797 he was appointed chief justice of Bengal, and in 1798 was created a baronet; in 1806 he returned to England; was immediately sworn on the privy council, and re-entered parliament as member for the Kilrenny district of burghs. In 1808 he succeeded to his father's baronetcy; and died in London 26 Jan. 1811.

Sources:
     Gent. Mag. lxxxi. 683, lxxxii. 494.

Contributor: J. S. C. [James Sutherland Cotton]

Published: 1885