He had a social conscience through his dealings with the parish poor, and he was also the treasurer of the Galashiels Savings Bank.

He was, however, no social radical as his principal concerns lay with the landowning class, those whom they employ, and those whom they allowed to tenant their lands.

Professor John Finlay of the University of Glasgow offers that assessment as the eight volumes of correspondence from the professional business of Craig were found in recent years.

These letter books covered the years 1819 to 1840, and possession of them passed through successive firms of solicitors until they were lodged in Scottish Borders Archive.

The contents of the letters have produced evidence of a fascinating range of legal business and local connections, not least Craig’s dealing with Sir Walter Scott who lived nearby.

The tendency in the past was to refer to law agents or ‘men of business’ rather than ‘solicitors’, and correctly so given the wide variety of Craig’s entrepreneurial spirit and activities.

Sustained and detailed analysis by Professor Finlay of Craig’s letter books has identified all the elements of the nature and extent of the business of an adviser, manager and lawyer.

The nature of that work meant that he conducted business elsewhere, not least with the Leith Bank, but also with Scots in London and abroad, in an era of constant change.

Professor Finlay’s sympathetic study of the business of a country lawyer is of importance to historians of law, society, business and it will be of interest to many general readers.

George Craig of Galashiels: The Life and Work of a Nineteenth-Century Lawyer by John Finlay. Published by Edinburgh University Press, 240pp.