Alexander Stevenson (Scottish politician) facts for kids

Sir Alexander Stewart Stevenson JP DL (born April 9, 1860 – died May 24, 1936) was an important person from Scotland. He was a city leader, known as a councillor, and also a religious speaker, called a lay preacher. He played a big role in the city of Edinburgh.

A Life of Service

Alexander Stevenson was born in a place called Dalry, Scotland, on April 9, 1860. His family later moved, and he went to school in Bo'ness. He became a jeweller and also fixed watches.

In 1900, he joined the Edinburgh Town Council as a member of the Liberal party. He held many important jobs there. From 1904 to 1906, and again from 1909 to 1915, he was in charge of the Electricity Committee. He was a Magistrate, like a judge, from 1906 to 1909. Later, he was the City Treasurer, managing the city's money, from 1922 to 1925. His biggest role was being the Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1926 to 1929. The Lord Provost is like the mayor of the city.

On February 16, 1928, he was made a Knight Bachelor at Buckingham Palace. This meant he could use "Sir" before his name. In 1929, the University of Edinburgh gave him an honorary LLD degree. This is a special award for people who have done great things. At the same ceremony, a famous German thinker named Albert Schweitzer also received an honorary degree. On November 28, 1929, he was also made a Deputy Lieutenant for Edinburgh.

His father, James Stevenson, was a missionary. Following in his father's footsteps, Alexander became a lay-preacher. He spoke at the Grassmarket Mission in Edinburgh. This mission was part of the Leamington Terrace Church, which later became the Bruntsfield Church.

Alexander Stevenson was also a talented bowls player. He played for Scotland twice in international games. He was part of a team in the first ever international bowls competition. This event took place in London in July 1903. Teams from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales competed.

He passed away in Edinburgh on May 24, 1936.

Lasting Mark

Several streets in Edinburgh were named after Sir Alexander Stevenson. These streets are in the area he represented on the city council. They include:

• Stevenson Road (named September 10, 1926)
• Stevenson Avenue (named May 5, 1927)
• Stevenson Drive (named October 21, 1927)
• Stevenson Terrace (named October 18, 1934)
• Stevenson Grove (named April 29, 1937)

Political Family

Sir Alexander Stevenson had relatives who also became involved in politics:

• John Keith McBroom Laird (1907-1985) was a Canadian Senator.
• James Stevenson, 1st Baron Stevenson (1873-1926) was his nephew and a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament.
• Stewart Stevenson (1946- ) is his great-nephew and a member of the Scottish Parliament.