COCKBURN, HENRY THOMAS, LORD, a Lord of Session in Scotland, was the son of Archibald Cockburn, of Cockpen, ono of the Barons of the Exchequer iu Scotland, by a sister of the wife of the first Viscount Melville, and represented an ancient Scottish family which has produced many distinguished members. Ile was born in 1779, and called to the Scottish bar in 1800. His family connections belonged to the Tory school, but although the Scotch patronage of the crown for many years was dispensed by Lord Melville, Mr. Cockburn in early life adopted liberal opinions.
It was not until November 1830 that any high legal position fell to Mr. Cockburn, when he became solicitor-general for Scotland, upon the promotion of Jeffrey to the attorney-generalship. He had however long before this time risen to considerable eminence in his profession, and was particularly distinguished for the ability of his advocacy, and the influence which he exerted upon the minds of juries. Among other cases in which he was engaged may be particularly mentioned that of the Queensberry title, in which considerable property was at stake. lie had also brought himself into notice by gratuitously defending the prisoners charged with treason at Stirling, Glasgow, and other Scotch towns in the year 1318. As a strong proof of his success as an advocate, we may mention that ho was engaged to defend Mrs. McDougall, who was put upon her trial at Edinburgh as the accom plice of Burke and Hare, and that he obtained her acquittal During the earlier part of his legal career the arguments of counsel were delivered partly in writing, and partly 'viva voce' (as is the case now in the Ilona. of Lords). The drawing up of these arguments frequently involved points of the greatest nicety, and several drawn up by Mr. Cockburn attracted the observation of the bench, and
even as a young man, his papers on feudal law had mot with general approval.
Such a man as Cockburn could not long remain without reaping a more permanent reward than the solicitor-generalsbip. Accordingly in 1834 he was promoted to the Scottish bench as one of the lords of session, to which three years later was added the further appointment of a lord commissioner of justiciary. Upon the bench Lord Cockburn was surpassed by few in his clear enunciation of law, and in his charges to juries. He was distinguished by a skilful detection of whatever was false in principle or iu evidence, as well as by the breadth and grasp of his legal judgments, which were seldom reversed on appeal.
Besides the ' Life' of his friend Lord Jeffrey in 2 vols. (1852), Lord. Cockburn published only one small pamphlet, which was entitled ' Ou the best way of spoiling the beauties of Edinburgh.' lie was an early contributor however to the pages of the ' Edinburgh Review; and it is said that an article from his pen in that review was mainly instrumental in causing a reform in the method by which Scotch juries had been previously chosen.
As a friend, neighbour, and citizen, no less than as a relative, Lord Cockburn was beloved. His death, which happened April 20, 1S54, while he was on circuit at Ayr, was preceded by an illness of but a few days' duration. He left a large family by his widow, who is sister of the wives of the late Scotch judges, Lords Fullerton and Dundrennan.