William Creech

William Creech
Born	1745-05-12 Newbattle, Midlothian, Scotland
Died	1815-01-14
Occupation(s)	Publisher, printer, bookseller, politician
Years active	c.1771–1815
Known for	Publishing Edinburgh editions of Robert Burns' poetry and Statistical Accounts of Scotland; Lord Provost of Edinburgh

William Creech FRSE (12 May 1745 – 14 January 1815) was a prominent Scottish figure known for his work as a publisher, printer, bookseller, and politician. For four decades, he stood as Edinburgh’s foremost publisher, notably producing the inaugural Edinburgh editions of Robert Burns' poetry and Sir John Sinclair's seminal Statistical Accounts of Scotland. He frequently used the pen name Theophrastus.

Life

Born to Mary Buley and Reverend William Creech, a minister in Newbattle, Midlothian, William Creech lost his father at an early age. Raised between Perth and Dalkeith, he attended Dalkeith Grammar School before pursuing medical studies at the University of Edinburgh.

From 1766 to 1768, Creech accompanied publishers William Strahan and Thomas Cadell on travels through London, France, and the Netherlands. In 1770, he embarked on a Grand Tour across Europe with Lord Kilmaurs.

His apprenticeship began at Kincaid & Bell thanks to his mother’s connection with Alexander Kincaid. By 1771, Creech became Kincaid’s business partner after the latter had purchased Allan Ramsay's bookshop near St. Giles Cathedral. Two years later, in 1773, Creech assumed full control of the shop—later known as "Creech's Land"—which he operated for 44 years and from where he published Burns’ poetry.

In 1784, Creech was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and two years later helped establish the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Introduced to Robert Burns by John 15th Lord Glencairn in 1786, Creech published significant Edinburgh Editions of Burns’ poems in 1787, 1793, and 1794. Burns composed two poems dedicated to him: Lament for the Absence of William Creech and On William Creech.

In 1788, Creech participated as a juror during Deacon William Brodie's trial for robbery and quickly capitalized on public interest by selling an account of the proceedings at his High Street shop.

His civic service included roles as Councillor beginning in 1780, Bailie from 1807, and ultimately serving as Edinburgh's Lord Provost between 1811 and 1813.

Initially residing at Craigs Close on the Royal Mile until around 1800, he later relocated to 5 George Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. The building housing his shop, Creech's Land, was demolished in 1817 to enhance access around St Giles Cathedral.

Creech passed away at his Edinburgh residence and was laid to rest in Greyfriars Kirkyard. A commemorative plaque honoring both him and his father is displayed at Newbattle Kirk. He remained unmarried and left no descendants.

Self publications

On occasion, Creech authored works that he also published himself, including:

• Account of the Trial of Deacon Brodie (1788)
• Edinburgh's Fugitive Pieces (1815)

Business connections and friendships

As an influential participant in the Scottish Enlightenment, Creech cultivated important professional and personal relationships within Edinburgh’s literary community. His key connections encompassed Robert Burns, whose works he published despite later disputes over royalties; as well as figures such as Lord Kames, Hugh Blair, James Beattie, and Dugald Stewart.

References

• Barbara M. Benedict, ‘Creech, William (1745–1815)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004. Retrieved 24 July 2008