Charles Lawson of Borthwick Hall | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1795 |
| Died | 1873 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Alma mater |
Edinburgh High School Edinburgh University |
| Occupation(s) | nurseryman merchant |
| Spouse | Patricia Grant |
| Parents |
|
Charles Lawson of Borthwick Hall (1795–1873) was a Scottish nurseryman and merchant, noted for the introduction of foreign crops into the United Kingdom. [1] He served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1862 to 1865. [2]
Life
He was born in Edinburgh, son of the seed merchant Peter Lawson and his wife Patricia Grant. The family live at 19 Blair Street, a street joining the Royal Mile to the Cowgate. [3]
He was educated at Edinburgh High School and Edinburgh University. His father died in 1821, and Charles then took over the family business Peter Lawson & Son. [1]
In Edinburgh he lived at 35 George Square. In 1851 he purchased Borthwick Hall near Gorebridge in Midlothian. [4]
He was connected to the huge Lawson-Donaldson Seed Warehouse off the Shore in Leith.
Successful on a national scale, Lawson became a specialist in grass seeds and conifers. The Cupressus lawsoniana was named after him. [1] Went spectacularly bankrupt by 1873 after unwise investment in guano from San Domingo. [1]
Artistic recognition
He was portrayed in office by John Graham Gilbert. [5]
Notes
- ^ a b c Curthoys, M. C. "Lawson, Charles". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ref:odnb/96787. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Grants Old and New Edinburgh
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1800
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1850
- ^ "Charles Lawson of Borthwick Hall (D.1874), Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1862–1865) | Art UK".
