William Urquhart Arbuthnot
William Urquhart Arbuthnot | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | December 11, 1874 (aged 67) London, England |
| Occupation | Official in India |
| Years active | 1826–1874 |
| Known for | Member of the Council of India |
William Urquhart Arbuthnot (24 March 1807 – 11 December 1874) was a Scottish official who served in India.
Early life
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Arbuthnot belonged to the distinguished Clan Arbuthnott. He was the fifth son of Sir William Arbuthnot, 1st Baronet (1766–1829), who had held the positions of Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, and his wife Anne Alves. His relatives included notable individuals such as Sir Robert Arbuthnot, 2nd Baronet, and Archibald Francis Arbuthnot, connecting him to prominent military and commercial networks.
On his mother's side, his grandfather was John Alves from Shipland in Inverness-shire. His paternal lineage traced back to Robert Keith Arbuthnot, FRSE of Haddo Rattray, and Mary Urquhart of Cromarty. Additional family ties extended to George Arbuthnot of Elderslie and Robert Arbuthnot associated with Ceylon.
Arbuthnot's education was completed at Edinburgh's Royal High School followed by training at the East India Company College in Haileybury, equipping him for service in colonial administration.
Career
He entered the East India Company and traveled to Madras in 1826. Over time, he advanced to become the agent for the Governor at Vizagapatam. After resigning in 1846, he joined the Madras-based firm Arbuthnot & Co before retiring to England in 1838. In 1858, he was among the inaugural members appointed by the British Crown to the newly formed Council of India, where he remained until his passing in 1874. Despite multiple invitations, he declined positions as finance minister in India.
Personal life
Arbuthnot married Elizabeth "Eliza" Jane Taylor (1815–1892), daughter of Gen. Sir Henry George Andrew Taylor, on 2 June 1834. Their residence was Brigden Place located in Bexley, Kent. They had several children:
- William Henry Arbuthnot (1835–1888), who wed Mary Pearson Turner in 1875.
- Eliza Taylor Arbuthnot (1837–1894), spouse of mathematician and publisher William Spottiswoode.
- Mary Charlotte Arbuthnot (1841–1897), married Judge Arthur Brandreth of the Chief Court of the Punjab.
- Frederick George Arbuthnot (1845–1910), who never married.
- Helen Ellen Arbuthnot (1850–1929), unmarried.
- Louisa Arbuthnot (1852–1852), died in infancy.
- Reginald James Hugh Arbuthnot (1853–1917), coffee broker and amateur cricketer; remained single.
- Madeline Arbuthnot (1856–1858), died as a child.
He passed away in London on 11 December 1874.