Adam White - First Provost of Leith - 1833-39

Category

Library Item

Item no

36234

Title

Page from Leith Miscellany, volume II, Adam White - first Provost of Leith - 1833-39

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1838

Type

Pen work; Reproduction

Leith had its own town council and Provost from 1833 until 1920 when it was amalgamated with Edinburgh.

Adam White was born in Gifford in 1760 but moved to Leith at an early age. At 15 he set up the firm Adam White & Co, which originally cured herrings and made barrels, but later expanded to include other products. By 1833 he was a wealthy Baltic merchant and free-trade Liberal, and was appointed Provost by an unanimous vote. In 1843 he became an Elder of South Leith Parish Church when he joined the Free Church at the Disruption. He died on 31 December 1843 and is buried in South Leith Churchyard.

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People > Adults > Men

People > Politics and government > Lord Provosts

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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