Andrew Crosbie 1735-1785

Andrew CROSBIE 1735-1785

Biographical Note

Born near Dumfries, he was the son of Andrew Crosbie d.(1762) and Jean Grierson. He was educated at the university of Edinburgh, and admitted to the Faculty of Advocates on 6th August 1757. In 1769, he anonomously published Thoughts of a layman concerning patronage and presentations, where he maintained the superior authority of the church courts on conferring appointments. In 1784 he was elected vice-dean of the Faculty of Advocates. Crosbie was an antiquarian, and first fellow of the Society of Antiquaries at Edinburgh. He married Elizabeth Barker. He’s said to be the inspiration for Walter Scott’s Pleydell in the Antiquary.

Books

His library reflected his antiquarian interests. It was sold at auction on 4th July 1785 by Mr Hay in Edinburgh. A copy of the catalogue survives at Glasgow University library (Mu33-b.19). Surviving books from his library include a first edition of Hector Boece’s Scotorum historiae (Aberdeen University pi f9(41) Boe 1).

Characteristic Markings

Used an engraved armorial bookplate, Franks 7440.

Sources

• Catalogue of a valuable collection of books, which belonged to the late Andrew Crosbie, Esq; advocate, to be sold by auction, at Mr Hay's vendue ware room...Edinburgh, 1785. ESTC T162262
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.
• Lustig, Irma S. "Crosbie, Andrew (1736–1785), lawyer and antiquary." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.