Unrest erupted over the book “Transgender” about a Scottish baronetcy aristocrat, who legalized changed his registered sexual orientation before he succeeded to his brother’s baronetcy.
Elizabeth Forbes-Sempill was Dr. Ewan Forbes, and they announced their marriage in 1952. They had lived as men since the 1930s, but changed their names to become a couple.
Sir Ewan’s brother, Lord Sempill (aviation pioneer) held the Baronetcy at Craigievar, Scotland. Sir Ewan claimed his title in 1965 when he passed away. It had to be given to the nearest male relative.
This led to three years of legal disputes between Sir Ewan who married his housekeeper and John Forbes-Sempill who claimed the title as he considered himself the male heir.
The Scottish Court of Session had ruled Sir Ewan the male heir. However, the opposition of Mr Forbes-Sempill meant that it was settled by James Callaghan (the then Home Secretary), who agreed in 1968 with the decision of the judge that the doctor should be made the baron.
He was subsequently named the 11th Baronet Forbes of Craigievar and went on to hold the title and the Aberdeenshire family seat – Craigievar Castle – until his death in 1991.
However, Zoe Playdon (an academic) has been criticised over her claim in her latest book, The Hidden Case Ewan Forbes: A Transgender Trial That Threatened to Overthrow the British Establishment that the baron had been transgender.
Professor Playdon claimed in his book that Sir Ewan’s story ‘rocked British society’ and ‘transformed transgender experiences to this day.
Barrister Barbara Rich, a law lecturer and lawyer, published a series tweets outlining their disagreement with the book. It was published by Bloomsbury in late October.
Rich pointed out the 1967 Scottish case ruling, in which Lord Hunter declared that Sir Ewan was an ‘true hermaphrodite’ where the male sexual traits predominate. This could not be interpreted as meaning that Ewan was transgender.
The book “Transgender” by a Scottish baronetcy aristocrat, which legally altered his registered sex after he succeeded to his brother’s baronetcy has sparked a row. Elizabeth Forbes-Sempill was born in 1952 to Dr. Ewan Forbes. He and his wife re-registered the birth of their son as a male in 1952.
Sir Ewan’s brother, Lord Sempill (aviation pioneer) held the Baronetcy at Craigievar, Scotland. Sir Ewan claimed his title in 1965 when he was killed. This had to go to his nearest male relative. It led to a legal battle lasting three years between Sir Ewan (who went on to wed his female housekeeper) and John Forbes Sempill, who filed a claim to the title. He claimed that he was the rightful male heir. Above: Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire, the Forbes family seat.
Others also claimed Sir Ewan’s memoirs didn’t mention the transition from being a female man to becoming a male one.
After the 1968 final judgment, Sir Ewan was informed by his solicitor that he believed that a mistake on his birth certificate had occurred.
He explained that Sir Ewan had been born a man and was incorrectly identified as a woman.
In an online statement, Professor Playdon stated that Ewan is trans. He also claimed that his description in court showed that Ewan had long-term testosterone.
Ms Rich also claimed Professor Playdon’s claim Sir Ewan’s case “threatened” to overthrow the British establishment as ‘utterly inexplicable and high-end speculation.
Academic Zoe Playdon (left), was criticised for claiming that Ewan Forbes, the British Establishment’s transgender baron, had been made in her latest book The Hidden Case Ewan Forbes.
Barbara Rich (Barrister) was one of those legal professionals who criticised Professor Playdon’s claims
Scott Wortley, a law lecturer, also attacked the claims in the book
She also challenged Professor Playdon’s claims in her book, that Sir Ewan was a ‘hidden case’. Instead she highlighted how extensively the press covered the decision of the Home Secretary.
The Daily Mail reported the result of the case.
Ms. Rich claimed that the court proceedings were held behind closed doors due to the “distressing and invasive nature” of Ewan’s evidence.
Scott Wortley from Scotland, a law professor, stated another expert that the book contained a “number” of errors. Also, he said it displayed a lack awareness about Scottish law and procedures.
Elizabeth Forbes-Sempill was a sexchanger and later became Sir Ewan Forbes Sempill 11th baronet. Later, he became Sir Ewan Forbes.
Sir Ewan plays the harp in his Aberdeenshire home, before he altered the sexual information on his birth certificate
Sir Ewan changed the sex of his birth certificate and married Isabella Patty’ Mitchell. They lived at Brux Lodge, Aberdeenshire.
When he died without children in 1991, he was succeeded by his cousin John – the man who had launched the original legal challenge
Another tweet was added by him: ‘The book is founded on the principle that correction of the Birth Certificate was done of Right for a Trans Person.
“That wasn’t the case. The sheriff could not correct the registration error unless he was certain of it.
Professor Playdon claimed in her statement, that she had used “language in its normal and natural meaning” to explain the complex interplays between law and medicine to help a broad readership.
Sukey Fisher, a transgender screenwriter is adapting Professor Playdon’s book into a TV drama.
Sir Ewan married Isabella Patty’ Mitchell after changing his sex details on his birth certificate. The couple lived in Brux Lodge, Aberdeenshire.
Sir Ewan was a farmer there and published his memoirs in The Aul’ Day in 1984.
When he died without children in 1991, he was succeeded by his cousin John – the man who had launched the original legal challenge.