Alexander Bayn d.1737

Alexander BAYN or BANE or BAYNE c.1684-1737

Biographical Note

Professor of Law at Edinburgh University. Alexander Bayn of Rires was the eldest son of John Bayne of Logie and Cecilia Gibson. He studied at St Leonard's College, St Andrews, then studied law with John Spottiswoode in Edinburgh in 1704; he matriculated as a law student in Leiden in 1706 and was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in London in 1707. Bayn married Mary Carstairs. He was a part of the group around Richard Steele and Joseph Addison.

Bayn was possibly the author of An Introduction to the Knowledge and Practice of the Thoro' Bass, 1717; also author of Institutions of the Criminal Law of Scotland, 1730, and Notes for the Use of the Students of the Municipal Law, 1731. A 'central and enthusiastic member of the Edinburgh Musical Society' and interested in 'decorum', music, the arts and natural sciences (ODNB).

Books

His library was sold at auction along with some other books of unknown provenance, with the difference not distinguished in the catalogue, from 22-28 February 1749. They were sold by A. Kincaid in Edinburgh 'At the Auction-house opposite to the Parliament-Close', and comprised 825 lots, with significant numbers of books on music, law, religion and theology.

Sources

• A catalogue of curious and valuable books, being chiefly the library of the late Mr. Alexander Bane Professor of Scots Law in the University of Edinburgh. Which will begin to be sold by auction, on Wednesday the 22d of February 1749, by A. Kincaid bookseller, at the Auction-house opposite to the Parliament-Close. ... (Edinburgh, 1749). [2],28p. ESTC T162661. NLS Ferg.71 - clerk's interleaved copy with names and prices.
• Cairns, John W. "Bayne, Alexander, of Rires (c. 1684–1737), advocate and jurist." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. 23 Sep. 2004; Accessed 15 May. 2023.