, was the youngest son of lord-president Nesbit, of Dirlton, and born
, was the youngest
son of lord-president Nesbit, of Dirlton, and born at Edinburgh in 1672. He was educated for the law; but his
genius led him to the study of antiquities, in which he
made very great proficiency, as appears from his excellent
book on heraldry, which has never yet been exceeded by
any treatise on the same subject in the English language.
It was published at Edinburgh, 2 vols. fol. 1722 42, and
has been reprinted there within these few years. He wrote
“A Vindication of Scottish Antiquities,
” which is now ill
ms. in the advocates’ library at Edinburgh, and published
“Heraldical Essay on additional figures and marks of
Cadency,
” 1702, 8vo and “An Essay on the ancient and
modern use of Armories,
” Lond.