Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Macqueen, John Fraser

by Gordon Goodwin

MACQUEEN, JOHN FRASER (1803–1881), lawyer, born in 1803, was eighth, but eldest surviving, son of Donald Macqueen of Corrybrough, Inverness-shire, by Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh Fraser of Bnghtmony in the same county. He eventually succeeded his father in the chiefship of the clan Revan, the tribal designation adopted by the Macqueens. At first he practised as a writer to the signet at Edinburgh, but subsequently became a member of Lincoln's Inn, where he was called to the bar on 8 June 1838, and commenced to practise in the court of chancery. He was at one time frequently engaged in Scottish appeals, and in proceedings for divorce under the old system. For a short time after the passing of the Divorce Act in 1857 he also practised in the divorce court. In 1860 he was appointed by Lord Campbell official reporter of Scottish and divorce appeals in the House of Lords, and he compiled four volumes of appellate reports (1861-5), now very scarce. He continued his reports for several years after the formation of the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting in 1866, but failing health obliged him to nominate a deputy, and in 1879 he resigned the post. He took silk in 1861, and during the same year was made bencher of his inn. Macqueen, who was D.L. and J.P. for Inverness-shire, where he had a seat at Aird, died at 4 Upper Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, London, on 6 Dec. 1881. He married in 1840 Georgiana, daughter of George Dealtry, rector of Outwell, Norfolk. Macqueen was a man of genial and kindly disposition, and of considerable literary acquirements.

He published:

1. 'A Practical Treatise on the Appellate Jurisdiction of the House of Lords and Privy Council, together with the Practice on Parliamentary Divorce,' 8vo, London, 1842.
2. 'The Rights and Liabilities of Husband and Wife at Law and in Equity, as affected by Modern Statutes and Decisions,' 8vo, London, 1848 [-49]; 2nd edit, by S. Hastings and J. D. Davenport, 1872; 3rd edit, by J.C. and R. B. Russell, 1885.
3. 'Reports of Scotch Appeals and Writs of Error, together with Peerage, Divorce, and Practice Cases in the House of Lords,' vol. i. 8vo, Edinburgh, 1856. No more was published.
4. 'Reports of the Debates on the Life Peerage Question,' 8vo, London, 1856, &c.
5. 'A Practical Treatise on Divorce and Matrimonial Jurisdiction under the Act of 1857,' 8vo. London, 1858; 2nd edit. 1860.
6. 'Chief Points in the Laws of War and Neutrality, Search and Blockade,' 8vo, London, 1862. He wrote also some legal pamphlets, including an interesting 'Lecture on the Early History and Academic Discipline of the Inns of Court and Chancery,' 1851.

[Times, 8 Dec. 1881, p. 9, col. 6; Law Times, ec. 1881, p. 106; Solicitors' Journal, 24 Dec 1881, p. 129; Law Mag. 4th ser. vii. 215-16; Law Lists.]

G. G.