Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hosack, John

by William Arthur Jobson Archbold

HOSACK, JOHN (d. 1887), lawyer and historical writer, was the third son of John R. Hosack of Glenaher, Dumfriesshire. He became a student of the Middle Temple in 1838, was called to the bar in 1841, and practised on the northern circuit and at the Liverpool sessions. In 1875, though not a Q.C., he was made a bencher of his inn, and in 1877 he became police magistrate at Clerkenwell. He died at his house in Finborough Road, West Brompton, on 3 Nov. 1887, and was buried at Lytham in Lancashire.

Hosack wrote:

1. ‘A Treatise on the Conflict of Laws of England and Scotland’ (only one part published), London, 1847, 8vo.
2. ‘The Rights of British and Neutral Commerce, as affected by recent Royal Declarations and Orders in Council,’ London, 1854, 12mo.
3. ‘Mary Queen of Scots and her Accusers,’ London, 1869, 8vo; 2nd edit., 2 vols., Edinburgh, 1870–4, 8vo—a defence of the queen.
4. ‘On the Rise and Growth of the Law of Nations, … from the earliest times to the Treaty of Utrecht,’ London, 1882, 8vo.
5. ‘Mary Stewart: a brief statement of the principal charges which have been brought against her, together with answers to the same,’ published after his death, Edinburgh, 1888, 8vo.

[Foster's Men at the Bar; Law Journal, 12 Nov. 1887; Brit. Mus. Cat.]

W. A. J. A.