On this day in 1581 James Douglas, the Earl of Morton, died.

Morton played a leading role in the overthrow of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then ruled the country as Regent for her young son, James VI, between the years 1572-78. His ruthless efficiency alienated many nobles, but his downfall came about after he refused to support Presbyterianism in its fight against the Episcopy. In 1581 he was forced out of office and belatedly accused of complicity in the assassination of Mary's estranged husband, Henry, Lord Darnley. He was found guilty and executed. He was in the following year executed by being beheaded on the Maiden, ironically the form of guillotine which he himself had imported into Scotland from France.

On 2 June 1926 Sir William Leishman, the Scottish bacteriologist, died.

Leishman discovered the protozoan parasite responsible for dumdum, or kala-azar, fever, now known as Leishmaniasis. He also developed the clinical technique known as the Leishman stain, which is still used today to detect protozoan parasites such as plasmodium (the cause of malaria). Leishman is also noted for his work with Sir Almroth Wright on the vaccine for typhoid.

Today's recipe: lemon meringue pie is a traditional family favourite.