Thomas Elder (Lord Provost of Edinburgh) facts for kids

Thomas Elder of Forneth (born 1737 – died May 29, 1799) was an important Scottish wine merchant. He served as the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, which is like being the mayor of the city, for three different terms between 1788 and 1798.

Life of Thomas Elder

Thomas Elder was born in 1737 and was the oldest son of William and Elizabeth Elder. He was baptized on October 7, 1737, in Clunie, Perthshire.

Elder was a successful wine merchant and grocer in Edinburgh. His shop was on the famous Royal Mile, right across from the Tron Kirk. His home was at 5 Princes Street, though that building was later taken down around 1900.

He was the chief leader of Edinburgh for three periods: 1788–1790, 1792–1794, and 1796–1798. During his second time in office, he helped keep order when there were public meetings by groups like the Friends of the People. He even broke up a large meeting in 1793 and arrested some of the main members, all without needing military help.

In 1794, when the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers (a local militia group) were formed, Thomas Elder became their first leader. The city council even gave him a special silver plate to thank him for his "spirited and prudent conduct" while he was in charge, especially during times of public unrest.

From 1796 until his death in 1799, Elder also worked as the Deputy Postmaster General for Scotland, helping to manage the postal service across the country.

One of his biggest achievements was helping to get the University of Edinburgh's Old College rebuilt. He worked hard to make sure the plans for the new buildings were successful. The first stone for these new buildings was laid during his first term as Lord Provost on November 16, 1789. The buildings were finished after he passed away. Later in his life, he lived in a new house at 85 Princes Street in Edinburgh's New Town.

Thomas Elder died at Forneth House in Perthshire on May 29, 1799, when he was 66 years old. He was buried in the old churchyard in Clunie on June 2.

Thomas Elder's Family

In 1765, Thomas Elder married Emilia Husband. She was the oldest daughter of Paul Husband, who was also a merchant in Edinburgh. Thomas and Emilia had four daughters and one son. Their oldest daughter, Isabella, married George Husband Baird on August 9, 1792. George Husband Baird later became the Principal of the University of Edinburgh.

How Thomas Elder Was Remembered in Art

Artists created several works to remember Thomas Elder.

• A portrait of him was painted by Henry Raeburn in 1797. This painting was requested by the university's leaders and professors, and it is now kept in the university's court room.
• Another copy of this portrait was shown at an art exhibition in Edinburgh in 1876.
• There are also two etchings (a type of print) of Elder by an artist named Kay, which can be found in a collection called 'Kay's Original Portraits'.
• A special small sculpture of his face, called a cameo, was made by James Tassie. This cameo is now in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

Images for kids

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  Cameo of Thomas Elder, 1795

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  Thomas Elder, Lord Provost of Edinburgh by John Kay