Politician and colonial judge. Born in London, Grant was educated at the High School in Edinburgh and read law at the University of Edinburgh. Both at school and university, he was a contemporary of Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832). Grant succeeded his uncle to the Rothiemurchus Estate in 1790 but squandered his inheritance. He served as Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby (1812-18) and for Tavistock (1819-26) but was edged out of the seat by the Duke of Bedford, who needed it for his brother, yet Grant was consoled by a knighthood. Hounded by his creditors, Grant went on to serve as a judge in Bombay, India (1827-30) and then Bengal (1833-48).
Having died at sea while returning to Britain, he lies buried in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh. His daughter was Elizabeth Grant of Rothiemurchus (1797 - 1896), noted for her Memoirs of a Highland Lady.
