Alexander Clerk of Pittencrieff
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Sir Alexander Clerk of Pittencrieff (1600–c.1660) was a 17th-century Scottish merchant who twice served as Provost of Edinburgh.
Life[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Pittencrieff_House_Museum_-_geograph.org.uk_-_640085.jpg/330px-Pittencrieff_House_Museum_-_geograph.org.uk_-_640085.jpg)
He was born in Edinburgh on 23 September 1600 the eldest son of Alexander Clerk of Stenton in East Lothian and his wife, Marion Primrose. His father was a merchant who bought Pittencrieff House in 1610 and served as Provost of Edinburgh from 1623 to 1625.[1][2]
Alexander (the younger) was twice Provost of Edinburgh (he pre-dated the use of the term Lord Provost). In 1630 he succeeded David Aikinhead serving until 1634. He served a second term 1640 to 1643.[3] In 1641 he met King Charles II in his role as provost. Although not an "old man" (some sources confuse him with his father) he was probably a diplomatic choice. He was Provost at the outbreak of the English Civil War which was an extremely troubled period.[4]
From 1631 to 1635 he undertook a major extension project at Pittencrieff House, extending it upwards.[5]
Alexander was still in Pittencrieff House in 1657. In 1685 the house was owned by George Murray.[6]
Alexander is thought to have died around 1660. He is presumed to be buried in the graveyard attaching Dunfermline Abbey, which is very close to his house.
Pittencrieff House[]
In 1903 Andrew Carnegie bought Pittencrieff House and its huge grounds and gifted it to his home town of Dunfermline as public park.
See Pittencrieff Park.
References[]
- ^ http://genealogy.jvans.co.uk/getperson.php?personID=I34385&tree=1
- ^ http://bikelove-scotland.blogspot.com/2014/08/dunfermline-pittencrieff-park-andrew.html
- ^ History of Edinburgh from its Foundation to the Present Time in 9 Books: Book 3 p.227: Civil Government
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Buildings of Scotland: Fife bu John Gifford
- ^ http://www.royaldunfermline.com/Resources/PITTENCRIEFF_HISTORY.pdf
- 1600 births
- People from Dunfermline
- Lord Provosts of Edinburgh
- Scottish landowners
- Scottish people stubs