Patrick Heron (1736–1803)
Patrick Heron of Kirroughtree | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1736 Scotland |
| Died | 9 June 1803 |
| Occupation(s) | Financier, politician |
| Years active | 1794–1803 |
| Known for | Member of Parliament for Kirkcudbright Stewartry; founder of Douglas, Heron & Company bank |
Patrick Heron of Kirroughtree (circa 1736 – 9 June 1803) was a Scottish financier and political figure. He represented Kirkcudbright Stewartry as a Whig Member of Parliament from 1794 until his death in 1803.
Heron descended from a political lineage, being the grandson of Patrick Heron of Kirroughtree, who held the same parliamentary seat between 1727 and 1741. His mother, Margaret, was the daughter of John Mackie of Palgoun. He pursued his education at the University of Glasgow.
In 1761, he wed Jean Home, daughter of Henry Home, Lord Kames, though their marriage ended in divorce by 1772. Subsequently, in 1775, he married Lady Elizabeth Cochrane, daughter of Thomas Cochrane, 8th Earl of Dundonald and cousin to the famed diarist James Boswell.
Heron was instrumental in establishing the Ayr-based Douglas, Heron & Company bank, which ultimately failed amid the British credit crisis of 1772.
He gained his parliamentary seat through an uncontested by-election in March 1795 following the death of Alexander Stewart. This election resulted from an arrangement endorsed by Henry Dundas to rotate representation for the constituency. Despite this agreement, Heron maintained his position and was re-elected without opposition in 1796. During the July 1802 general election, he competed against Tory candidate Montgomery Stewart and was initially declared the winner; however, Stewart’s petition led to a House of Commons committee overturning the result in May 1803.
The electoral contests involving Heron inspired three compositions by Robert Burns, collectively known as the Heron Ballads. Burns expressed his support for Heron, commending his integrity and character:
An' there will be trusty Kerroughtree,
- Whose honour was ever his law,
If the virtues were pack'd in a parcel,
- His worth might be sample for a'.
Patrick Heron passed away on 9 June 1803 at approximately 68 years old. He had one daughter, Mary, who married John Maxwell. Upon inheriting Heron's estates, Maxwell adopted the surname Heron-Maxwell and succeeded to his father's baronetcy in 1804.