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William Burns (1809–1876) was a Scottish lawyer, early Chartist, historian and nationalist who was one of the prime movers in the campaign to create the
William Burns (1809–1876) was a Scottish lawyer, early Chartist, historian and nationalist who was one of the prime movers in the campaign to create the Wallace Monument
The National Wallace Monument (generally known as the Wallace Monument) is a 67 metre tower on the shoulder of the Abbey Craig, a hilltop overlooking Stirling in Scotland. It commemorates Sir William Wallace, a 13th- and 14th-century Scottish hero ...
.
Life
He was born inSaltcoats
Saltcoats ( gd, Baile an t-Salainn) is a town on the west coast of North Ayrshire, Scotland. The name is derived from the town's earliest industry when salt was harvested from the sea water of the Firth of Clyde, carried out in small cottages al ...
on 4 December 1809 the son of a chemical manufacturer. He served an apprenticeship as a lawyer in Saltcoats and moved to Glasgow
Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...
in the early 1840s. In 1845 he was practising at 29 St Vincent Place in the city centre, living at 296 Greenhill Place.
In 1851 Rev Charles Rogers began a campaign to create a national monument to William Wallace. Burns became involved deeply in this campaign and took over as Secretary on Roger's resignation. Together with Rogers they commissioned John Thomas Rochead to design the monument.
In 1861 he was present at the laying of the foundation stone of the Wallace Monument
The National Wallace Monument (generally known as the Wallace Monument) is a 67 metre tower on the shoulder of the Abbey Craig, a hilltop overlooking Stirling in Scotland. It commemorates Sir William Wallace, a 13th- and 14th-century Scottish hero ...
. He was also present at the official opening in 1869.
In later life he lived at Belmont House in the Dowanhill district of Glasgow.
He died in Glasgow on 2 August 1876. His grave lies midway up the south-west slopes of the Glasgow Necropolis.
Following Burns' death the finances of the payment for the Wallace Monument fell into disarray. Although the monument was completed many parties (including the architect) remained unpaid.
Family
He was married to Louisa Whyte, the widow of Alexander Shand ofAberdeen
Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), and ...
.Grave of William Burns, Glasgow Necropolis
Publications
*Scotland Insulted! (1856) *Banking in Glasgow during the Olden Times (1862) *Scottish History, Memories and Associations (1863) *The Scottish Wars of Independence (1874)Artistic Recognition
A marble bust of Burns is in theWallace Monument
The National Wallace Monument (generally known as the Wallace Monument) is a 67 metre tower on the shoulder of the Abbey Craig, a hilltop overlooking Stirling in Scotland. It commemorates Sir William Wallace, a 13th- and 14th-century Scottish hero ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burns, William 1809 births 1876 deaths Writers from Glasgow Lawyers from Glasgow 19th-century Scottish historians