James Ian Macpherson (1880-1937) was born in Inverness-shire. He became the Liberal M.P. for Ross and Cromarty in 1911, the seat he held until 1935. Having served in the War Office as parliamentary secretary to the Under-Secretary, 1914-1916, Under -Secretary, 1916-1918 and Deputy-Secretary of State for War, 1918 -1919, Macpherson was made Chief Secretary for Ireland in the coalition government formed in Jan 1919. Although he supported Home Rule, he took strong measures against the unrest in Ireland. Sinn Féin was proscribed in May 1919, and the Dáil Éireann was declared illegal. He introduced the Government of Ireland Bill early in 1920, but resigned his post shortly afterwards, moving on to the Ministry of Pensions. He lost office with the fall of the coalition government in 1922. Details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.