Sir John Henderson FRSE FSA (8 January 1752 – 12 December 1817), fifth of the Henderson baronets of Fordell, Fife, was a Scottish nobleman and politician. He trained as a lawyer and was also a competent antiquary.
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Ancestry
The Hendersons were an ancient Scottish family; James Henderson, who served as Lord Advocate of Scotland and died at Flodden Field in 1513, was called the first "Laird of Fordell". Fordell Castle was built in 1567, but it was built on the site of a previous structure. John Henderson (d. 1683) was created a baronet in 1664.
The Hendersons' considerable wealth came from coalpits on their estates.
Life
Sir John Henderson was the son of Robert Henderson (d. 1781), the 4th baronet. He was educated at University of St Andrews and Christ Church, Oxford. He studied law at St Andrews University graduating in 1764, then did further studies at Oxford University gaining a second degree in 1771 before being made an advocate in 1774. In 1781, on the death of his father, he became a baronet. In January 1782 he became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.