GRANT, William (1701-64), of Prestongrange, Haddington.

Grant was a hard working lawyer, of ‘virtuous integrity’,Brunton Haig, Senators of College of Justice, 519-20; Ramsay of Ochtertyre, Scotland Scotsmen, i. 121-7. owing his political advancement to Archibald, Duke of Argyll, whose personal affection he retained despite his attachment to the interests of his clan and kinsmen, whom Argyll disliked.

In July 1754 Newcastle, anxious to see Robert Dundas as lord advocate, secured for Grant promotion to the Scottish bench, and on the appointment being formally gazetted in November, Grant vacated his seat in the House.Add. 32736, ff. 225, 276. In 1760 he unsuccessfully pressed his claims to the presidency of the court of session in opposition to Dundas, by then his son-in-law.Add. 32903, f. 77.

He died 23 May 1764.