McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C9
Person
Bethune, Strachan, 1821-
1821-1910
Strachan Bethune was born on November 6, 1821, in Montreal, Quebec.
He was the son of the Very Reverend John Bethune, Dean of Montreal and Principal of McGill University and the brother-in-law of the future Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John Abbott. He studied law at McGill University and was called to the Bar of Lower Canada in 1843. He joined what was then Montreal's most prestigious law firm, Meredith & Dunkin. In 1849, he was appointed a Judge at Quebec City. After Dunkin left the firm, Bethune was joined by his son, Meredith Blenkarne Bethune forming the firm Bethune & Bethune. In 1864, he was appointed Queen's Counsel. He was twice appointed Bâtonnier of Montreal (1859 and 1862).
In 1845, he married Maria Stewart Phillips. He died on March 8, 1910, in Montreal, Quebec.