George Dempster of Dunnichen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Dempster of Dunnichen FRSE FSA (Scot)
George Dempster, portrait by George Willison
Member of Parliament for Perth Burghs
In office 1769–1790
Preceded by	William Pulteney
Succeeded by	George Murray
Member of Parliament for Perth Burghs
In office 1761–1768
Preceded by	Thomas Leslie
Succeeded by	William Pulteney
Personal details
Born	1732 Dundee, Great Britain
Died	1818 (aged 86) Dunnichen, Angus, Great Britain
Resting place	Restenneth Priory, Forfar
Political party	Independent Whig
Spouse	Rose Heming [1748-1810]
Alma mater	University of St Andrews University of Edinburgh Académie Royale
Profession	Politician

George Dempster (1732–1818) was an important Scottish figure. He was a lawyer, a landowner, and worked to improve farming. He was also a politician who served in the British Parliament.

Dempster started a bank called George Dempster & Co. in 1763. He also helped manage the East India Company. Later, he became the leader of St Andrews city, known as a Provost. He was also a director of the Highland Society of Scotland.

People called him Honest George because he was fair and couldn't be bribed. He was a key part of the Scottish Enlightenment, a time when new ideas in science and philosophy were very popular in Scotland. In his later years, he focused on making Scottish fishing and farming better. He also worked to improve the lives of people who lived on his land.

He was a close friend of the famous philosopher Adam Ferguson.

Early Life and Education

George Dempster was born in 1732 in Dundee, Scotland. His father, John Dempster, was a merchant and owned land near Forfar. George's mother was Isabel Ogilvie.

He went to Dundee Grammar School from about 1739 to 1748. He might have also attended a small school in Leuchars, Fife. In 1748, he started studying at the University of St Andrews. He left around 1750 without finishing his degree.

After St Andrews, he moved to University of Edinburgh to study law. He also studied at the Académie Royale in Brussels.

Career and Public Service

In 1755, George Dempster became a lawyer. Around the same time, he joined a group called the Select Society. This was a very important group for writers and thinkers during the Scottish Enlightenment. He later became a director of this society.

In 1762, he joined another influential group in Edinburgh called the Poker Club. He might have even helped start it.

Dempster was a Member of Parliament for the Perth Burghs. He served two terms: from 1761 to 1768 and again from 1769 to 1790. This means he helped make laws for Great Britain for many years.

In 1788, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This was a great honor, showing his importance in science and learning.

Later Years and Legacy

George Dempster spent his later life working to improve Scotland. He was especially interested in making fishing and farming better. He wanted to help people who worked on the land and lived in rural areas.

He passed away at his home in Dunnichen, Angus, on February 13, 1818. He was 86 years old. He was buried at Restenneth Priory near Forfar.