Burgess casket of the Right Honourable John Gulland MP (1865-1920)

John Gulland was born in Edinburgh, the son of a corn merchant and banker. He was adopted as Liberal candidate for Dumfries in 1905, and became known for his radical opinions. He succeeded Sir Robert Threshie Reid as MP on his elevation to the position of Lord Chancellor in the House of Lords. He was appointed Scottish Whip in Asquith's government, but chose not to join Lloyd George's coalition government, and went in to opposition in 1915.   He opposed the abolition of the parliamentary seats for the burghs in the Representation of the People Bill, and it was at this time that he was awarded the freedom of the Burgh of Dumfries. On the abolition of his seat he left Parliament and embarked on a tour of Canada and the United States, where he spoke at the League of Nations.   The casket features a figurine of St Michael on the lid and an enamel portrait of Robert Burns on the side, after Nasmyth's portrait of 1787.  A rolled illuminated burgess ticket is inside.