Sir Archibald Alison, 1st Baronet

: "For the Scottish author, see: Archibald Alison (Scottish author) (1757-1839)"

Sir Archibald Alison, 1st Baronet (29 December 1792–23 May 1867), son of Archibald Alison (Scottish author), was an English lawyer who held several prominent legal appointments, and a historian, born at Kenley, Shropshire, England.

After studying under a private tutor, and at the University of Edinburgh, he was, in 1814, called to the Bar, at which he ultimately attained some distinction, becoming in 1834 Sheriff of Lanarkshire.

When travelling in France in 1814 he conceived the idea of his "Modern History of Europe from the French Revolution to the Fall of Napoleon", which deals with the period from the outbreak of the French Revolution to the restoration of the Bourbons, and extends, in its original form (1833-42), to 10 volumes. The work is one of vast industry, but is extremely diffuse and one-sided, and often prosy.

Disraeli satirises the author in "Coningsby" as Mr. Wordy, who wrote a history to prove that Providence was on the side of the Tories. It had, however, an enormous sale.

A continuation of it (1852-59) brought the story down to the "Accession of Louis Napoleon". The work was popular was translated into many languages, including Arabic and Hindostee. Alison was also the author of a life of Marlborough, and of two standard works on the criminal law of Scotland.

He was elected Lord Rector successively of Marischal College, Aberdeen, and of the University of Glasgow. In 1852 he was created a baronet, during Lord Derby's administration.

He died near Glasgow, Scotland at the age of 74. His portrait was painted by Robert Scott Lauder.

References

*