Henry Nisbet of Dean (floruit 1570–1608) was a Scottish merchant and Provost of Edinburgh.
Nisbet was a textile merchant and clothier. In 1587 he supplied the French ambassador Monsieur de Courcelles with violet crimson cloth for his attendant's clothes, mourning cloth at death of Mary, Queen of Scots, a beaver hat, silk points, and ribbon for the ambassador's shoes, and other items. He also advanced the ambassador large sums of money.[1]
He took royal letters to Charles IX of France in April 1583 asking for tax relief for Scottish merchants. He also brought a letter to Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox.[2]
He was Provost of Edinburgh in 1597. In July 1598 Nisbet was a member of a committee of lawyers and ministers including John Preston of Fentonbarns, Robert Rollock and John Russell who drew up a syllabus for the University of Edinburgh in July 1598 including readings from Latin authors.[3] He owned Dean House just west of Edinburgh, and a house on the High Street. Dean House was demolished to create Dean Cemetery.
The National Museum of Scotland has painted ceiling fragments from ceiling of the gallery in Dean House showing the Sacrifice of Isaac, Judith, and other subjects. The paintings may date from the time of his son, William Nisbet.[4] A carved pediment for a window was inscribed; "H. N." for Henry Nisbet with the Nisbet heraldry, and a stone panel with "I. B." and the Bellenden heraldry for his wife, Jonet Bellenden.[5]
Henry Nisbet died in 1608 and his sons James and William obtained permission from the town council to build a monument.[6]
He married Jonet Bannatyne or Bellenden (d. 1621). Their children included: