David Robertson MacDonald

24 Walker Street, Edinburgh

Lt Col David Robertson MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart FRSE (1764-1845) was a British army officer linked to the history of Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon).

Life

The mausoleum of the Robertson family, Greyfriars Kirkyard

He was born David Robertson on 29 September 1764 the son of the eminent Edinburgh historian, and minister of Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, William Robertson and his wife Mary Nisbet. His brothers included William Robertson, Lord Robertson. Trained in the military he served in the British Army linked to the East India Company and raised the first Malay Regiment in Ceylon in 1796. He served as Deputy Adjutant General of Ceylon in the late 18th century.

In 1802 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were John Playfair, Alexander Dirom, and Dr James Russell.[1]

In later life he lived at 24 Walker Street.[2]

He died on 7 September 1845. He is buried in the Robertson family vault in Greyfriars Kirkyard.[3]

Family

In 1799 he was married to Margarita MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart, daughter of Alexander MacDonald 5th of Kinlochmoidart, and adopted her name, whereby some of his wife’s family wealth and status passed to their children, who were all styled “Robertson MacDonald”.[4]

Their children included William Frederick Robertson Macdonald, 9th of Kinlochmoidart and Admiral David Robertson MacDonald, 11th of Kinlochmoidart (1817-1910).

References

  1. ↑ Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0 902 198 84 X.
  2. ↑ Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1844-45
  3. ↑ http://www.clanmacfarlanegenealogy.info/genealogy/TNGWebsite/getperson.php?personID=I34982&tree=CC
  4. ↑ https://www.geni.com/people/Admiral-David-Robertson-Macdonald-11th-of-Kinlochmoidart/6000000019649543224


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