Sir James Hunter Blair, 1st Baronet
Sir James Hunter Blair, 1st Baronet | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Ayr, Scotland |
| Died | 1 July 1787 (aged 46) Harrogate, England |
| Occupation(s) | Landowner, banker, politician |
| Years active | 1756–1787 |
| Known for | Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1784–1786), MP for Edinburgh (1780–1784), founder of Royal Society of Edinburgh |
Sir James Hunter Blair, 1st Baronet FRSE (February 1741 – 1 July 1787) was a prominent Scottish landowner, banker, and political figure.
Life
Originally named John Hunter, he was born in Ayr to merchant John Hunter of Mainholm and Millquarter and his wife Anne Cunninghame.
In 1756, he began an apprenticeship at Messrs Coutts, a banking firm in Edinburgh, and by 1763 had become a partner in Sir William Forbes' banking establishment. He acquired the Robertland estate and, following his marriage in 1770 to Jean Blair—the heiress of John Blair of Dunskey—he adopted the surname Hunter Blair after she inherited the Dunskey estate in 1777.
Hunter Blair represented Edinburgh as a Member of Parliament from 1780 until 1784 and held the office of Lord Provost of Edinburgh between 1784 and 1786. His leadership saw significant urban development projects, including the reconstruction of the University and the building of South Bridge, which improved the city’s infrastructure. The foundation stone for South Bridge was laid in 1785 after receiving parliamentary consent. His impact is commemorated through local place names such as Hunter Square and Blair Street. In 1784, he arranged for his parliamentary seat to be succeeded by Sir Adam Fergusson, 3rd Baronet.
In November 1783, he was among the founders of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His city residence was a Georgian townhouse on George Street within Edinburgh’s New Town, while his rural home was Dunskey House in Ayrshire. Additionally, he held interests in an estate located in Tobago.
On 27 June 1786, he was granted a baronetcy of Dunskey in County of Wigtown.
Hunter Blair is remembered for hosting poet Robert Burns during his visit to Edinburgh; Burns composed an elegy upon his passing, which elicited mixed critical reception. A dedicated Freemason, Hunter Blair’s name endures in local landmarks like Hunter Square and Blair Street.
He passed away in Harrogate, England, and was interred at Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh.
Following his death, his widow resided at 34 Queen Street in Edinburgh—a property he had acquired shortly before dying—and possessed extensive land that would later become Queen Street Gardens.
Legacy
In recognition of his instrumental role in establishing the South Bridge in 1784, both Blair Street and Hunter Square, situated at the bridge's northern end, bear his name.
Family
After his wife inherited the Dunskey estates in 1777, he incorporated Blair into his surname. He married Jane (also known as Jean) Blair of Dunskey in 1770. Together they had fourteen children, among them Sir David Hunter Blair, 3rd Baronet FRSE (1778–1857). The Dunskey Estate currently functions as a venue for weddings and film productions.
Their ten surviving sons included:
- John Hunter Blair, 2nd Baronet (1772–1800)
- David Hunter Blair, 3rd Baronet FRSE (1778–1857)
- Thomas Hunter Blair (1782–1849), who attained the rank of Major-General
- Robert Hunter Blair
- Forbes Hunter Blair
- James Hunter Blair
Their daughters were Anne Hunter Blair (died 1854), who wed William Mure of Caldwell, along with Clementina, Jane, and Jemima Hunter Blair.