List of provosts of Dundee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lord Provost of Dundee |
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Incumbent
Bill Campbell since 20 May 2022 |
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| Appointer | Dundee City Council approved by the Monarch |
| Term length | Elected by Dundee City Council at the start of each session, and upon a vacancy |
| First holder | Alexander Mathewson (first recorded holder, though role existed before) |
| Deputy | Kevin Cordell |
The Lord Provost of Dundee is a very important person in the city of Dundee, Scotland. Think of them as the city's main leader and representative. They are chosen by the Dundee City Council and act as the head of the council meetings.
But it's not just about leading meetings! The Lord Provost is also a special figurehead for Dundee. They represent the city at many events and welcome important visitors. They are also the Lord Lieutenant for Dundee, which means they are the King's personal representative in the city. In other countries, this role is often called a Mayor.
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What is a Lord Provost?
In Scotland, there are 32 local councils, and each one chooses a "Provost." However, only the four biggest cities have a "Lord Provost." These cities are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee. This special title is part of a law called the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. It shows how important these cities are.
The Lord Provost's Job
The Lord Provost has several key roles:
- Leading the Council: They are the boss of the Dundee City Council meetings. They make sure everyone follows the rules and that discussions go smoothly.
- City's Figurehead: They are the face of Dundee. This means they attend many public events, open new buildings, and meet important people visiting the city.
- Royal Representative: As the Lord Lieutenant, they represent the King in Dundee. This involves duties like organizing royal visits and presenting awards on behalf of the King.
A Look Back: Provosts Through Time
Long ago, in the Middle Ages, Dundee was run by officials called "Bailies" and "Provosts." There was also a "Constable of Dundee." The idea of having one main official, the Provost, in charge of the whole town started around the 1480s.
Over hundreds of years, many people have held the title of Provost or Lord Provost in Dundee. These leaders have helped shape the city into what it is today.
Lord Provosts of Dundee
Since 1890, the main leader of Dundee has been known as the Lord Provost. Here are some of the people who have held this important role:
| Tenure | Provost | Political party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890–1893 | Alexander Mathewson | ||
| 1893–1896 | Sir James Low | ||
| 1896–1899 | Henry McGrady | ||
| 1899–1902 | William Hunter | ||
| 1902–1905 | Charles Barrie | ||
| 1905–1908 | William Longair | ||
| 1908–1914 | Sir James Urquhart | ||
| 1914–1920 | Sir William Don | ||
| 1920–1923 | Sir Alexander Spence | ||
| 1923–1929 | Sir William High | ||
| 1929–1932 | George Anderson Johnston | ||
| 1932–1935 | William Huntley Buist | ||
| 1935–1940 | Sir John Phin | ||
| 1940–1946 | Sir Garnet Wilson | Liberal Party | |
| 1946–1949 | Archibald Powrie | ||
| 1949 | John Campsie Adamson | ||
| 1949–1952 | Richard Fenton | ||
| 1952–1954 | William Black | ||
| 1954–1960 | William Hughes | Labour | |
| 1960–1967 | Maurice McManus | ||
| 1967–1970 | Alexander MacKenzie | ||
| 1970–1973 | William K. Fitzgerald | ||
| 1973–1975 | Thomas W. Moore | ||
| 1975–1977 | Charles D.P. Farquhar | ||
| 1977–1980 | Henry W.C. Vaughan | ||
| 1980–1984 | James P. Gowans | Labour | |
| 1984–1992 | Thomas Mitchell | ||
| 1992–1995 | Thomas M. McDonald | ||
| 1995–1996 | Norman A. McGowan | ||
| 1996–1999 | Mervyn J. Rolfe | ||
| 1999–2001 | Helen Wright | ||
| 2001–2012 | John Letford | ||
| Independent | |||
| 2012–2017 | Bob Duncan | SNP | |
| 2017–2022 | Ian Borthwick | Independent | |
| 2022–present | Bill Campbell | SNP | |
What are Deputy Lieutenants?
A Deputy Lieutenant of Dundee is someone who helps the Lord Lieutenant (who is the Lord Provost). They are chosen by the Lord Lieutenant. Their job is to support the Lord Lieutenant in their duties, especially those related to representing the King.
There can be many Deputy Lieutenants at one time. Their number depends on how many people live in the area. They usually stop serving when they turn 75, but their role doesn't end if a new Lord Lieutenant is chosen.
