David Steuart (Lord Provost)
David Steuart | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1747-09-20 Dalguise House near Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland |
| Died | 1824-05-19 |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, banker, book collector, politician |
| Years active | Late 18th to early 19th century |
| Known for | Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1780–1782) |
David Steuart (also spelled Stewart) (1747–1824) was a prominent Scottish merchant, banker, and avid book collector of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He held the position of Lord Provost of Edinburgh between 1780 and 1782.
Life
Born on 20 September 1747, David was the youngest child of John Steuart of Dalguise (1689–1776), presumably at Dalguise House near Dunkeld in Perthshire. His mother, Margaret Findlay, was John's second spouse.
Around 1760, he relocated to Edinburgh and by 1770 had formed a banking partnership with Robert Allan, establishing Allan & Steuart. He served as a Councillor in 1778 and as a Bailie in 1779 before assuming the role of Lord Provost in 1780. His term concluded in 1782 when John Grieve succeeded him.
By 1784, Steuart's residence was at 5 Queen Street within Edinburgh’s New Town. In 1790, he engaged William Sibbald to design the development of his property located between Gabriels Road and Lord Moray's estate. Through his influence, the city council purchased adjacent land east of Gabriels Road, facilitating the establishment of the Second New Town from 1802 to 1809. This project was overseen architecturally by Robert Reid alongside Sibbald’s planning.
During his tenure as Lord Provost, Steuart commissioned cartographer John Ainslie to produce a detailed map of Edinburgh. Circa 1781, caricaturist John Kay depicted him alongside Bailie John Lothian.
Following the dissolution of his partnership with Allan, Steuart pursued mercantile activities in Leith, before returning to Edinburgh where he operated as a spirit merchant under the name David Stewart. His business, David Stewart & Co, was located on Giles Street in Leith.
From 1815 onward, he resided with his son-in-law at Gretna Hall near Annan in Dumfriesshire. He passed away on 19 May 1824 and is interred in St Cuthbert's Churchyard, situated off Princes Street in central Edinburgh.
Family
He married Anne Fordyce (1738–1820), daughter of Robert Fordyce from Aberdeen. The couple had sixteen children, seven of whom reached adulthood.
His elder brother, John Steuart (1712–1785), inherited the family estate at Dalguise.
Their daughter Janet Harriet Steuart (1786–1863) became the wife of Robert Anderson of Eskbank.