David Aitken (minister)

The Rev David Aitken FRSE DD (1796–1875) was a 19th-century Scottish minister and church historian.

4 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

Life
The grave of Rev David Aitken, Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh

He was born on 17 August 1796 in or near Edinburgh. He was educated at the High School in Edinburgh then studied divinity at the University of Edinburgh. His main position as minister was at Minto in Roxburghshire from 1829 to 1866. His patron was the Earl of Minto.[1] A letter of introduction from Thomas Carlyle aided in gaining this position.[2]

In 1868 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, his proposer being Sir David Brewster.[3]

He died on 27 March 1875 at home, 4 Charlotte Square, a huge townhouse in one of the city's most prestigious addresses.[4] He is buried in Dean Cemetery close to the ornate marble Leishman monument on the southern path.[5]

Family

He married Elizabeth ("Bess") Stodart of Dunsyre (1793-1869). She was the niece of John Bradfute, a bookseller living at 22 George Square[6] and was a friend of Thomas Carlyle's wife, Jane Welsh Carlyle, who lived at 23 George Square.

Artistic support

He is listed as a patron of John Kay's famous book of Edinburgh characters.[7]

References
  1. The British Critic and Quarterly Theological Review 1827
  2. The Letters of Thomas Carlyle - published 1904
  3. 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.
  4. Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1875
  5. Charles Sale (2014-01-08). "Elizabeth Stodart Aitken grave monument details at Dean 2g Cemetery, Edinburgh, Lothian,Scotland". Gravestonephotos.com. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  6. Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1810
  7. A Series of Original Portraits and Caricature Etchings, John Kay
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