Background
James Stirling was born in Aberdeen, the eldest son of James Stirling (1797/8–1871), a United Presbyterian church minister, and Sarah Hendry Stirling (née Irvine, 1813–1875).
James Stirling was born in Aberdeen, the eldest son of James Stirling (1797/8–1871), a United Presbyterian church minister, and Sarah Hendry Stirling (née Irvine, 1813–1875).
He attended Aberdeen Grammar School from 1846 to 1851 and King"s College at the University of Aberdeen from 1851, where he graduated Master of Arts in 1855, showing an exceptional ability in mathematics.
He was a High Court judge in the Chancery Division from 1886 to 1900, and a Lord Justice of Appeal from 1900, when he was made a Privy Counsellor, until his retirement in 1906. He continued to pursue his scientific and mathematical interests during his legal career, and after retiring from the bench became vice-president of the Royal Society in 1909–1910. Turning to the legal profession, he joined Lincoln"s Inn in January 1860, and was called to the bar in November 1862.
He reported cases in the rolls court, first for the New Reports, then for Law Reports until 1876.
He was chosen in 1881 by the attorney-general, Sir Henry James as his "devil", or Treasury Devil, a prestigious appointment which leads almost automatically to appointment to the High Court bench. In 1886 he became a judge in the Chancery Division of the High Court, and was knighted in the same year.
The following year he received an honorary Doctor of Laws from his alma mater, the University of Aberdeen. He was promoted to the Court of Appeal on 27 October 1900, when Sir Archibald Smith became Master of the Rolls.
Stirling retired from the bench on 11 June 1906.
In his early career he gained a high reputation as a draughtsman and conveyancer, but was diffident in recognising his own abilities. lieutenant was said that his opinion was "the best in Lincoln"s Inn, if only one could get it". Later, as a judge, he demonstrated a degree of equanimity and clarity which made him popular with the Barometer
He was criticised for his slowness, but he was careful and painstaking, and his judgements were rarely reversed.
He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1902, and was its vice-president in 1909–1910. After his death, the herbarium was donated to the Tunbridge Wells Museum.
Royal Society]
In 1878 he was recorded as being a member of the London Mathematical Society In 1898, a newspaper article noted that he still diligently studied mathematics and science. He was also an amateur bryologist and member of the Moss Exchange Club, and owned a bryophyte herbarium, which included about 6000 varieties of mosses and liverworts.