Background
He was the son of an eminent merchant.
He was the son of an eminent merchant.
Admitted as an advocate in 1605, he made his reputation by defence of Rev John Forbes (1568?-1634), and five other ministers at Linlithgow in 1606, charged with high treason. He prepared the deed revoking James VI"s grants of church property in 1625. He was appointed Lord Advocate under Charles I in 1626, and held the office until 1641.
He was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1628.
Hope conducted the case against John Elphinstone, 2nd Lord Balmerino in 1634. In 1645 Hope was appointed one of the Commissioners for managing the Exchequer, but died the next year.
He is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. The grave lies in the north-west section of the original graveyard, against the west wall.
Hope married Elizabeth, daughter of John Binning or Bennet of Wallyford, Haddingtonshire, by whom he had four sons who survived infancy.
Of these three reached the bench: Two sons became judges in the Supreme Court. John Hope, Lord Craighall (1605?–1654);
Thomas Hope, Lord Kerse (1606–1643). And
Sir James Hope of Hopetoun (1614–1661).
This privilege his successors in the office of Lord Advocate have in theory ever since enjoyed.
Sir Thomas Hope is the subject of Nigel Tranter"s last novel, Hope Endures (2005).
Faculty of Advocates.