List of provosts of Peterhead facts for kids
The Provost of Peterhead was like the main leader of the town council in Peterhead, Scotland. Think of them as similar to a mayor in other places. The provost was chosen by the council members. They were in charge of the council meetings and also represented the whole town.
The Peterhead council, and with it the role of provost, stopped existing in 1975.
Today, many of Scotland's 32 local areas have a convener or provost. However, only the four biggest cities – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee – have a special leader called a lord provost. This rule was made official in a law from 1994.
There is a famous painting of Roderick Grey, who was a Provost of Peterhead. The painting was done by Edward Burton, based on an earlier work by Sir John Watson-Gordon. You can see this painting in the Scottish National Gallery.
What Was the Provost of Peterhead?
The Provost of Peterhead was the most important person in the town's local government. They led the Peterhead burgh council. A "burgh" was a type of town in Scotland with its own special rights. The provost was the chairman of the council. They also acted as a public face for Peterhead. This role was very much like a mayor in other countries. The Peterhead council and its provost system ended in 1975.
Who Were the Provosts of Peterhead?
Many different people served as the Provost of Peterhead over the years. They came from various backgrounds and professions. Here is a list of the provosts and when they served:
- 1833–1834: George Arbuthnot of Invernettie, a cotton manufacturer
- 1834–1843: Thomas Arbuthnot of Meethill, a shipowner
- 1843–1857: Roderick Grey, a solicitor (lawyer)
- 1857–1860: Alexander Anderson, a shipowner
- 1860–1885: William Alexander of Whitehill, a solicitor and bank agent
- 1885–1888: John Henderson Will of Downiehills, who cured fish
- 1888–1899: John Smith, a manufacturer
- 1899–1918: William Hutchison Leask, a commission agent and owner of fishing boats called drifters
- 1918–1927: James Hutchison Catto, a commission agent and exporter of herring fish
- 1927–1930: James Milne, a coal merchant
- 1930–1936: John B Dickie, a timber merchant
- 1936–1940: Max J. L. Schultze, a herring exporter
- 1940–1946: Robert S. Dingwall, who owned a men's clothing shop
- 1946–1950: William McD. Gordon, a cabinet maker
- 1950–1956: John A. Dickie, a timber merchant
- 1956–1965: Robert Forman, a company director and boat owner
- 1965–1971: Edward A. Duncan, a grocer
- 1971–1975: Thomas L. Smith, a headmaster
