Prof James Lorimer FRSE LLD (4 November 1818 – 13 February 1890) was a Scottish advocate and professor of public law. He was an authority on international law.
Lorimer was born in Aberdalgie in Perthshire. He was the son of James Lorimer, manager of the Earl of Kinnoul's estates. He was educated at the High School in Perth then studied Law at Edinburgh University, doing further postgraduate studies in Berlin, Bonn and Geneva, broadening his understanding of European Law.
He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1845. He purchased an impressive Georgian townhouse at 22 Queen Street, with James Jardine as a close neighbour. In 1861 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh his proposer being Leonard Schmitz.
He became Regius Professor of Public Law at the University of Edinburgh in 1862, a post he retained until his death. The post had been vacant since the death of Prof Robert Hamilton in 1831. After gaining this post he moved to 21 Hill Street, close to Old College where he worked.
Lorimer first rented Kellie Castle in 1878 and it became the family home. His children included the painter John Henry Lorimer and the architect Sir Robert Lorimer.
In Edinburgh after retiral he moved to the suburb of Bruntsfield, living at 1 Bruntsfield Crescent.