Alexander Clerk of Pittencrieff
Sir Alexander Clerk of Pittencrieff (1600 – c. 1660) was a 17th-century Scottish merchant who twice served as Provost of Edinburgh.
Life
[edit]
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. In 1633 he was knighted by King Charles I during his visit to the city, the ceremony taking place at the Cross of St John on the Canongate.[3]
He served a second term 1640 to 1643.[4] 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.[5]
From 1631 to 1635 he undertook a major extension project at Pittencrieff House, extending it upwards.[6]
Alexander was still in Pittencrieff House in 1657. In 1685 the house was owned by George Murray.[7]
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
[edit]In 1903 Andrew Carnegie bought Pittencrieff House and its huge grounds and gifted it to his home town of Dunfermline as the public park Pittencrieff Park.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sir Alexander CLERK, of Stenton". genealogy.jvans.co.uk.
- ^ "Dunfermline - Pittencrieff Park & The Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum". bikelove-scotland.blogspot.com.
- ^ Grant's Old and New Edinburgh vol.3 p.2
- ^ 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
- ^ "A HISTORY OF PITTENCRIEFF GLEN/PARK" (PDF). royaldunfermline.com.
- ^ "PITTENCRIEFF PARK (GDL00315)". portal.historicenvironment.scot.
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