Edinburgh’s past is filled with the names of talented individuals who contributed greatly to the city. While the role of figures from culture and science cannot be understated, it is hard to deny the special role local politicians play in the development of any community. They are the ones who devise strategies and propose initiatives that ultimately lead to a better quality of life. Learn more at edinburghyes.
Among all the political figures involved in local government, the city’s mayors deserve special recognition. These individuals bear a colossal responsibility not only for the welfare of the city but for all its inhabitants.
Edinburgh boasts a rich history of such leaders. These Lord Provosts worked for the good of the city and invested maximum effort in its growth.
Among the most prominent of Edinburgh’s leaders was Sir Patrick Johnston. Beyond his significant achievements, he made history as a man who had the distinction of serving as Lord Provost of Edinburgh for three separate terms.
Early Years
The future politician was born in the year 1650.
In 1677, Patrick began an apprenticeship with one of Edinburgh’s most famous and successful merchants of the time, Robert Blackwood. It is therefore no surprise that the young man began his own career as a merchant.
However, this did not prevent him from gradually immersing himself in the world of politics at a local level.
From 1694, he began to hold positions as a trade advisor and a Bailie (a civic officer in local government in Scotland).
A Failed Project
The year 1695 was marked by Patrick’s involvement in the founding of the “Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies,” more commonly known as the Company of Scotland.
However, by 1698, the company faced bankruptcy. The reason for this disastrous outcome was the infamous Darien scheme—a failed attempt by the Kingdom of Scotland to establish its own colony on the Gulf of Darién. Unfortunately, the project was a catastrophic failure that led to the financial ruin of Scotland.
Returning to Johnston’s biography, the colonisation attempt had a severe impact on his own standing. Not only was his company destroyed, but he also lost colossal sums of money.
Lord Provost
From 1700, Patrick’s political career reached a new level. It was then that he began his first term as Lord Provost of Edinburgh, which lasted until 1702.
Following this, for two years, Johnston was a member of the Privy Council of Scotland.
In 1704, Patrick once again took up the post of Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, while continuing to serve as a privy councillor.
Public Discontent
In 1706, as Johnston’s second term came to an end, he became a member of the Commission for the Union with England. Even as part of this body, Patrick continued to work for the benefit of Edinburgh.
He managed to achieve valuable results for the city, including the preservation of the duty on ale. Johnston also successfully persuaded the council members to vote in support of the union with England.
However, the population of Edinburgh was far from pleased with this turn of events. Local residents began to vent their frustration on Patrick. The situation became so serious that in 1706, Johnston was attacked by a mob. People broke down the doors of the politician’s house and threw stones at the windows. Miraculously, Patrick himself managed to escape unharmed.
Member of Parliament
After the parliaments of Scotland and England passed the Acts of Union in 1707, Johnston became a member of the first Parliament of Great Britain. On 19 November of that same year, he initiated a petition on behalf of Scotland’s merchants, which raised grievances that England was not fulfilling its promises regarding free trade.
During his parliamentary career, Johnston was also involved in drafting a law to encourage the salmon fishing industry.
However successful his career in Parliament was, his position was not permanent. To continue, he needed to stand for re-election. But Johnston decided not to put his name forward in the 1708 British general election.
The Third Term
The year 1708 marked Patrick’s re-election for his third term as Lord Provost of Edinburgh. This tenure lasted two years, during which time Johnston once again managed to achieve useful things for the city.
Furthermore, in a 1709 by-election, he was returned to Parliament. This meant he had even more opportunities to work for the good of Edinburgh.
In January 1710, the politician announced that he had successfully abolished the coal tax and significantly reduced the window tax. (Yes, at that time, the number of windows in a house was taxed. Although this tax was only introduced in Scotland in 1748, after the Act of Union all taxes were harmonised, making such taxation a very relevant issue for Scottish cities).
These two achievements by Johnston played a very positive role for the population of Edinburgh.
Later Activities
After completing his third term as Lord Provost, Patrick focused fully on his parliamentary career.
Following the 1710 general election, he rejoined the Whigs.
In 1712, he actively voiced his opposition to the Scottish Toleration Bill. Patrick also worked hard to find funding to build a new pier in Leith, though unfortunately, he did not succeed in this effort.
Sir Patrick Johnston can rightly be called a man of immense dedication to Edinburgh. Even while working in the British Parliament, this politician never forgot the needs and interests of his home city. This is a defining feature of his character, marking him as a conscientious man and a true professional.
Johnston entered the history books as one of Edinburgh’s most industrious leaders. Although he retired from politics after 1713, his achievements for the city are firmly recorded in the past of the remarkable city of Edinburgh.