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James Macdonald


(b. 1741, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh – d. July 26, 1766, Rome, Italy )

Gender: M

James Macdonald (1741-1766), 8th Baronet of Sleat, was the son of Sir Alexander Macdonald (1711-1746) and Lady Margaret Macdonald. He succeeded to the baronetcy in 1746, at the age of five. He was a prodigy at Eton and Oxford and known as “the Scottish Marcellus” for his learning and intelligence; he was much admired by James Boswell. He suffered from ill-health and went to Italy in an attempt to convalesce, but died in Rome at the age of twenty-five. His mother erected a monument to his memory in the parish church of Sleat.

Also known as:

  • James Macdonald


Mentioned in 2 letters



Please note that all dates and location information are provisional, initially taken from the library and archive catalogues. As our section editors continue to work through the material we will update our database and the changes will be reflected across the edition.

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