John Aird (Lord Provost) Explained

John Aird (John Aird Junior) (1655–1730) was a Scottish merchant who served as Lord Provost of Glasgow five times (ten years in total).^{[1] [2]}

Life

Aird was born in 1655, the son of John Aird.

In 1692 Aird appears as a Bailie in Glasgow Town Council and from 1695 he appears as Dean of Guild in the Council. He served as Dean five times in total up to 1721.^[3] He served as Lord Provost five times: 1705–1707, 1709–1711, 1713–1715, 1717–1719 and 1721–1723.^[4]

In the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 Aird and the city sided strongly with the new government, rather than the Jacobite "rebels", and Aird raised an army of 600 volunteers to defend the city against Jacobite capture.^[5]

Aird lived in a mansion house on Aird's Lane (now called Goosedubbs). One of his main trades appears to have been in selling geese.^[6]

Aird died in Glasgow in 1730.

Artistic recognition

Aird's portrait in frock-coat and wig is held in the Merchant's House on George Square in Glasgow.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Provosts of Glasgow . www.glasgow.gov.uk . 25 June 2021 . en . 2017-05-05.
2. Web site: MS Murray 590-594 . www.gla.ac.uk . 25 June 2021.
3. The Picture of Glasgow or Strangers Guide by Robert Chapman 1806
4. Exhibition Illustrative of Old Glasgow 1894
5. Web site: (13) - Towns > Glasgow > 1787 - Reprint of Jones's directory; or, Useful pocket companion for the year 1787 - Scottish Directories - National Library of Scotland.
6. Glasgow Evening Times 22 March 2017