Gilbert Laurie
{{Short description|Scottish merchant and senior excise officer}}
{{about||the American lawyer and human rights activist|Leslie Gilbert-Lurie}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
Gilbert Laurie of Polmont (1729–1809) was an 18th-century Scottish merchant and senior excise officer who twice served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh: from 1766 to 1768 and 1772 to 1774.
Life
He was born in Polmont in 1729. He was Commissioner of Excise for edinburgh from around 1760. In 1766 he succeeded James Stuart of Binend as Lord Provost of Edinburgh.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} The construction of Edinburgh's New Town began during his term of office.
In 1774, he was living at Baxters Close off the Cowgate in Edinburgh.Williamsons Edinburgh Directory 1774 In 1784, he was still Commissioner of Excise but lived at Cowgatehead at the east end of the Grassmarket.Williamsons Edinburgh Directory 1784 In 1784/5, he built or remodelled Polmont House near Falkirk, as his main home.{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/47902/polmont-house|title=Polmont House | Canmore|website=Canmore.org.uk|access-date=3 November 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/a-sad-loss-for-polmont-1-2586909 |title=A sad loss for Polmont - Falkirk Herald |access-date=2019-02-20 |archive-date=2019-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112019/https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/a-sad-loss-for-polmont-1-2586909 |url-status=dead }}
He died at Polmont, on 10 September 1787, and is thought to be buried in Polmont Parish Churchyard.
Artistic recognition
He was portrayed in office around 1768 by David Martin.{{Cite web|url=https://artuk.org/shop/image-library/gallery-product/poster/gilbert-laurie-17291809-lord-provost-of-edinburgh-17661768-17721774-93551/posterid/93551.html|title=Gilbert Laurie (1729–1809), Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1766–1768 & 1772–1774) | Art UK|website=Artuk.org|access-date=3 November 2021}}
Family
He married Katherine Erskine, daughter of the Hon Thomas Erskine, son of Henry Erskine, 3rd Lord Cardross.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thepeerage.com/p52421.htm#i524205|title=Person Page|website=Thepeerage.com|access-date=3 November 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.clanmacfarlanegenealogy.info/genealogy/TNGWebsite/getperson.php?personID=I67891&tree=CC|title=Gilbert Laurie, of Polmont, Lord Provost of Edinburgh d. Yes, date unknown: MacFarlane Clan & Families Genealogy|website=Clanmacfarlanegenealogy.info|access-date=3 November 2021}}
His daughter, Katherine Laurie married Alexander Marjoribanks of Marjoribanks (1750-1830) in 1790.{{Cite web|url=https://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/marjoribanks.htm|title=Marjoribanks|website=Electricscotland.com|access-date=3 November 2021}}
References
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Category:Lord provosts of Edinburgh
Category:18th-century Scottish merchants
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