Sir John Melville

Sir John Melville FRSE WS (1803-1860) was a Scottish lawyer and landowner who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1854 to 1859. Melville Drive in Edinburgh is named after him.

Life

15 Heriot Row, Edinburgh

He was born in Kirkcaldy in Fife the son of George Melville, a lawyer, and his wife, Isabella Rule of Kennoway. The family moved to Edinburgh in his youth, residing first at 5 Broughton Place[1] then 3 Nelson Street[2] nearby. John studied Law at Edinburgh University.

He was apprenticed to Alexander Manners WS based at 12 Nicolson Square.[3] He qualified WS in 1827 and set up his own partnership Melville & Lindesay WS.

In 1849 he was Chief Magistrate of Edinburgh.[4] He was also created a town councillor in 1853.

In 1857 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.[5]

Melville was knighted in 1859 by Queen Victoria at the end of his period as Lord Provost.

He died at home 15 Heriot Row on 5 May 1860. He is buried in Newington Cemetery in the south of the city.

Family

In 1838 he married Jane Calder Marshall (d.1873) sister of David Marshall, a prominent Edinburgh accountant.

John's brother, George Fisher Melville, was an advocate.

Artistic Recognition

His portrait by James Edgar was painted (in his official robes) in 1859. It is held by the City of Edinburgh Council but is rarely displayed.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1810
  2. ↑ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1819
  3. ↑ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1820
  4. ↑ Caledonian Mercury 18 October 1849
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/sir-john-melville-18021860-ws-lord-provost-of-edinburgh-18451859-93250
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