List of provosts of Edinburgh

List of lords provost in Edinburgh City Chambers

The Right Honourable Lord Provost of Edinburgh is the convener of the City of Edinburgh Council. 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 also ex officio the Lord-Lieutenant of Edinburgh. They are equivalent in many ways to the institution of Mayor that exists in many other countries.

While some of Scotland's local authorities elect a Provost, only the four main cities (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee) have a Lord Provost. In Edinburgh this position dates from 1667, when Charles II elevated the Provost to the status of Lord Provost, with the same rank and precedence as the Lord Mayor of London. The title of Lord Provost is enshrined in the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

Current lord provost

[edit]

In total, there have been 256 provosts and lord provosts.

The current lord provost is Robert Aldridge.

Past provosts of Edinburgh

[edit]

The first named individual overseeing Edinburgh was William de Dederyk, in 1296, who is described as an alderman. The second named alderman is John Wigmer in 1344. This is followed by William Guppeld, 1362–1369, and Sir Adam Forrester of Corstorphine in 1373.[1]

14th century

[edit]
  • (1377) John de Quhitness (John of Whiteness) first use of the term "Provost" on 18 May 1377
  • (1378) Sir Adam Forrester (see above)
  • (1381) John de Camera (John of Chambers)
  • (1387) Andrew Yutson or Yichtson
  • (1392) John of Dalrymple

The following decade includes a period with mention only of Baillies.[clarification needed]

15th century

[edit]

16th century

[edit]

17th century

[edit]

Lord Provosts of Edinburgh

[edit]

18th century

[edit]

19th century

[edit]


20th century

[edit]
Sir Thomas Hutchison, Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1921–1923); City of Edinburgh Council; by Glyn Philpot

21st century

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Grant's Old and New Edinburgh
  2. ^ Anderson pp 383-384
  3. ^ Marjoribanks, Roger (2014) "Edinburgh Portrait, Sir John Marjoribanks , Bart, MP (1763–1833)" The Book of the Edinburgh Club, Volume 10, Pp 151-156, ISBN 0-9517284-9-0
  4. ^ "The show's over for Mr Edinburgh". Scotsman.com. 5 May 2003.
  5. ^ "Ex-church minister is city's new Provost". Scotsman.com. 16 May 2007.
  6. ^ "Computer teacher elected Lord Provost of Edinburgh". Scotsman.com. 17 May 2012.
  7. ^ "SNP's Frank Ross named as new Lord Provost of Edinburgh". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Edinburgh appoints new Lord Provost". www.edinburgh.gov.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2022.

Sources

[edit]
[edit]