| Administrative History | James Catanach was born in Aberdeen, the son of a merchant there, and was admitted to the Society of Advocates in the town in 1731. He was elected an honorary burgess of Old Aberdeen in 1740, and was appointed civilist at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1745, replacing Sir William Forbes of Monymusk who died in office in 1743. The dispute over Catanach's appointment was taken to the House of Lords. He had apparently graduated LL.D. from Marischal College, Aberdeen, in 1743, though there was some difficulty in proving this, and he was awarded an LL.D. by King's College in 1748. He died in office, unmarried, in 1760. |