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Sir Thomas Blaikie of Kingseat (11 February 1802 – 25 September 1861) was a Scottish businessman who twice served as
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blaikie, Thomas 1802 births 1861 deaths Alumni of the University of Aberdeen Knights Bachelor Lord provosts of Aberdeen
Sir Thomas Blaikie of Kingseat (11 February 1802 – 25 September 1861) was a Scottish businessman who twice served as Lord Provost
A lord provost () is the convenor of the local authority, the civic head and the lord-lieutenant of one of the principal cities of Scotland. The office is similar to that of a lord mayor. Only the cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Stirlin ...
of Aberdeen
Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
, from 1839 to 1847 and 1853 to 1856.
Life
Born inAberdeen
Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
, he was the son of John Blaikie (1756–1826), a plumbing merchant and his wife Helen Richardson (1765–1844). His older brother was James Ogilvie Blaikie (1786–1836). He was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School
Aberdeen Grammar School is a state secondary school in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is one of thirteen secondary schools run by the Aberdeen City Council educational department.
It is the oldest school in the city and one of the oldest schools in the ...
and then went to Marischal College
Marischal College ( ) is a large granite building on Broad Street in the centre of Aberdeen in north-east Scotland, and since 2011 has been the headquarters of Aberdeen City Council. The building was constructed for and is on long-term lease fr ...
. On the death of his father he took over his company, J. Blaikie & Co.
Blaikie was elected Lord Provost of Aberdeen
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen is the convener of the Aberdeen City Council in Scotland.
They are elected by the city council and serve not only as the chair of that body, but as a figurehead for the entire city. They are equivalent in many ways ...
five times and served from 1839 until 1847 and again from 1853 until 1856. In the latter year, he was created a Knight Bachelor
The title of Knight Bachelor is the basic rank granted to a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not inducted as a member of one of the organised Order of chivalry, orders of chivalry; it is a part of the Orders, decorations, and medals ...
. In 1855 he was living at 32 Bonaccord Terrace in Aberdeen.Aberdeen Post Office Directory 1855
Another point of interest in Sir Thomas' life, was the first conflict of interest case, Aberdeen Railway Co v Blaikie Brothers.
Blaikie Brothers were an engineering company specialising in Iron work. A notable piece of work they carried out was the renovation of Crathie Suspension Bridge near Balmoral Castle in 1885. This work was contracted by Queen Victoria.
Thomas died in 1861 and was buried in the churchyard of the Kirk of St Nicholas
The Kirk of St Nicholas is a historic church in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is the original parish church of the city, and is also known locally as the Mither Kirk or mother church. Following the Reformation, it was divided between two congregations, ...
on Union Street in Aberdeen
Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
. The grave lies on the west wall towards the south-west.
Family
On 13 November 1828, he married Agnes Dingwall (1806–1885), the fifth daughter of the Postmaster Alexander Dingwall. The Barque ''Agnes Blaikie'' was presumably named in her honour. They had 10 children; John, Janet, Helen, Agnes Dingwall, Jane, Margaret Jopp, Ann Thomson, Thomas, George Thomson & Emily. Incidentally, Agnes Dingwall Bateson (née Blaikie), was the mother of Sir Alexander Dingwall Bateson, high court judge, and Harold Dingwall Bateson, England Rugby player.Recognition
The figurehead of Thomas Blaikie in Aberdeen Maritime Museum is thought to be from a ship bearing his name and likely the sister-ship of the more famous ship, theAgnes Blaikie
''Agnes Blaikie'' was a merchant ship chartered by the British government during the Crimean War for delivery of military cargoes and equipment to the army which was based in Balaklava. The vessel was presumably named in honour of the wife of the ...
, named after his wife.
See also
*List of Provosts and Lord Provosts of Aberdeen
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen is the convener of the Aberdeen City Council in Scotland.
They are elected by the city council and serve not only as the chair of that body, but as a figurehead for the entire city. They are equivalent in many ways ...
References
External links
*{{DEFAULTSORT:Blaikie, Thomas 1802 births 1861 deaths Alumni of the University of Aberdeen Knights Bachelor Lord provosts of Aberdeen