People from Lanark
William Wallace 'Braveheart'
William Wallace (1272-1305) lived in Lanark during the late 13th century. According to tradition, Wallace married a local woman called Marion Braidfute. At this time Scotland had no king, and Edward I of England wanted to rule Scotland. In 1297 Wallace became involved in a conflict with Haselrig, the English-appointed Sheriff of Lanark, and killed him at Lanark Castle. Some people think that this is because Haselrig had killed Marion, but certainly the killing of Haselrig was part of a number of uprisings against English control which were happening all over Scotland. William Wallace was a popular and successful leader and would soon become one of the Guardians of the Kingdom of Scotland, and a hero of the First War of Scottish Independence (1296–1328). He led Scottish forces to victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297, although he was defeated by Edward I a year later at the Battele of Falkirk in 1298. He was captured in 1305, taken to London, tried and found guilty of treason, then executed. One year later, in 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scotland. Scotland remained an independent country until the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland became James I of England and Ireland.
No-one knows what William Wallace really looked like. The banner photograph at the top of the page shows a 19th century sculpture of William Wallace on St. Nicholas Church in Lanark, while the photo above is a modern 20th century statue of Wallace from Edinburgh Castle. William Wallace was, of course, the subject of Mel Gibson's 1995 Oscar-winning film 'Braveheart'. However, historians agree that William Wallace did not look (or sound!) like Mel Gibson! The famous Highland kilt or plaid, as shown in the film, was not worn at this time, and in fact was never worn in the south part of Scotland, or Lowlands, where Wallace lived. Much of the film is in fact historically inaccurate, but most people agree that it's a good film of a good story!
William Lithgow
William Lithgow (1582–1645), was a Scottish traveller, writer and alleged spy born in Lanark. He claimed at the end of his various peregrinations to have tramped 36,000 miles on foot. Early in life William had his ears cut off by the brothers of a girl he was courting and was thereafter nicknamed ' Lugless Will'.
Prior to 1610 he had visited Shetland, Switzerland, and Bohemia. In that year he set out for Palestine and Egypt. His next journey, 1614–16, was in Tunis and Fez; but his last, 1619–21, to Spain, ended unfortunately in his apprehension at Malaga and torture as a spy.
He also visited Crete.[1]
From an early age Lithgow was prone to wandering and first visited the
Orkneys and Shetlands and later travelling farther afield to numerous countries
in Europe. In 1632 he published ' The Total Discourse, of the Rare Adventures,
and Painefull Peregrinations of long nineteen years Travayles. etc.' In it he
describes his journeys through Europe, Asia and North Africa claiming to have
walked 'thirty-six thousand and odde miles'.
His last venture into Southern Europe ended when he
was arrested and tortured on suspicion of being a spy by the Spanish
Inquisition. He was later rescued by the English Ambassador and sent to London
where the King paid for treatments to his injuries. Lithgow was again in
trouble when he was jailed for an assault on the Spanish Ambassador.
His last accounts were on the sieges of the cities of Breda and Newcastle
after which there is no evidence of his movements. Lithgow died after 1645 and
local tradition states that he is buried in St. Kentigern's graveyard.
The illustration is from the Dutch translation of his work published in
Amsterdam in 1652.
Scottish writer-traveller-explorer William Lithgow (1582-1645) travelled extensively throughout the Levant in three substantial journeys between 1610 and 1622. He completed his major work, The Total Discourse of the Rare Adventures and Painful Peregrinations of Long Nineteen Years Travails from Scotland, to the Most Famous Kingdoms in Europe, Asia and Africa in 1632. When the book appeared, it must have surprised and delighted readers, especially readers who had never travelled outside their own town.
Shapero Rare Books, who auctioned Rare Adventures and Painful Peregrinations in 2012, wrote: This book is probably the earliest authority for coffee-drinking in Europe, Turkish Baths, a pigeon post between Aleppo and Baghdad, Turkish tobacco-pipes, artificial incubation and the importation of currants from Zante to England. This classic account first appeared in 1614 and went through numerous additions, being constantly added to as Lithgow made more travels. He visited Italy, the Ionian Islands, Athens, Crete and the Aegean Archipelago in 1609 and stayed for a time on Chios, where he met two French merchants whom he joined to visit Greek monuments and antiquities. Lithgow travelled some 36,000 miles as described in this work
Particular note was made about how Lithgow suffered torture by the Inquisition
in Malaga in Spain (as a spy, not a religious heretic). He was released at the
intervention of King James I, and was later imprisoned in London for assaulting
the Spanish Ambassador.
There were many lovely woodcut illustrations in
the book, including the woodcut frontispiece portrait of Lithgow in Ottoman
dress. Estimated value of the book at auction was £6,500 or Aus $10,000 or USA
$10,550.
Why did William Lithgow have an irresistible desire to visit
strange lands and how did he fund these extensive trips? Significant
Scots believed that wanderlust was the ruling passion of his life.
Together with a roving, unsettled and restless disposition, wanderlust was the
principal agent in compelling him to undertake the formidable journeys which he
accomplished, and enabled him to bear up with such a series of hardships and
bodily sufferings, as perhaps no man ever before or since has endured. He made
it a strict rule, but probably not for financial reasons, to not use any
conveyance during a journey when he could accomplish it on foot, except for
crossing water. During all his travels he never mounted a horse, or put his foot
into a carriage, or used any type of vehicle whatever.
Prior to 1610 he had visited Shetland, Switzerland, and Bohemia. In that year he set out for Palestine and Egypt. His next journey, 1614–16, was in Tunis and Fez; but his last, 1619–21, to Spain, ended unfortunately in his apprehension at Malaga and torture as a spy.
He also visited Crete.[1]
From an early age Lithgow was prone to wandering and first visited the
Orkneys and Shetlands and later travelling farther afield to numerous countries
in Europe. In 1632 he published ' The Total Discourse, of the Rare Adventures,
and Painefull Peregrinations of long nineteen years Travayles. etc.' In it he
describes his journeys through Europe, Asia and North Africa claiming to have
walked 'thirty-six thousand and odde miles'.
His last venture into Southern Europe ended when he
was arrested and tortured on suspicion of being a spy by the Spanish
Inquisition. He was later rescued by the English Ambassador and sent to London
where the King paid for treatments to his injuries. Lithgow was again in
trouble when he was jailed for an assault on the Spanish Ambassador.
His last accounts were on the sieges of the cities of Breda and Newcastle
after which there is no evidence of his movements. Lithgow died after 1645 and
local tradition states that he is buried in St. Kentigern's graveyard.
The illustration is from the Dutch translation of his work published in
Amsterdam in 1652.
Scottish writer-traveller-explorer William Lithgow (1582-1645) travelled extensively throughout the Levant in three substantial journeys between 1610 and 1622. He completed his major work, The Total Discourse of the Rare Adventures and Painful Peregrinations of Long Nineteen Years Travails from Scotland, to the Most Famous Kingdoms in Europe, Asia and Africa in 1632. When the book appeared, it must have surprised and delighted readers, especially readers who had never travelled outside their own town.
Shapero Rare Books, who auctioned Rare Adventures and Painful Peregrinations in 2012, wrote: This book is probably the earliest authority for coffee-drinking in Europe, Turkish Baths, a pigeon post between Aleppo and Baghdad, Turkish tobacco-pipes, artificial incubation and the importation of currants from Zante to England. This classic account first appeared in 1614 and went through numerous additions, being constantly added to as Lithgow made more travels. He visited Italy, the Ionian Islands, Athens, Crete and the Aegean Archipelago in 1609 and stayed for a time on Chios, where he met two French merchants whom he joined to visit Greek monuments and antiquities. Lithgow travelled some 36,000 miles as described in this work
Particular note was made about how Lithgow suffered torture by the Inquisition
in Malaga in Spain (as a spy, not a religious heretic). He was released at the
intervention of King James I, and was later imprisoned in London for assaulting
the Spanish Ambassador.
There were many lovely woodcut illustrations in
the book, including the woodcut frontispiece portrait of Lithgow in Ottoman
dress. Estimated value of the book at auction was £6,500 or Aus $10,000 or USA
$10,550.
Why did William Lithgow have an irresistible desire to visit
strange lands and how did he fund these extensive trips? Significant
Scots believed that wanderlust was the ruling passion of his life.
Together with a roving, unsettled and restless disposition, wanderlust was the
principal agent in compelling him to undertake the formidable journeys which he
accomplished, and enabled him to bear up with such a series of hardships and
bodily sufferings, as perhaps no man ever before or since has endured. He made
it a strict rule, but probably not for financial reasons, to not use any
conveyance during a journey when he could accomplish it on foot, except for
crossing water. During all his travels he never mounted a horse, or put his foot
into a carriage, or used any type of vehicle whatever.
Robert McQueen, 'Hanging' Lord Braxfield
Robert McQueen (1722–1799) was born near Lanark and was a Scottish advocate and jugde. He studied at Lanark Grammar School and at the University of Edinburgh, becoming a lawyer in 1744. He often appeared in more than 15 cases per day and earned £19,00 in a single year. This would be over £360,000 a year at 2014 prices. He became a judge in 1776 and took the title Lord Braxfield. In 1788 he became Lord Justice Clerk, the leading judge in Scotland. He was famous for his strong support of the established landed intetests at a time when many people were calling for policical reform. Braxfield has a notoriety in Scotland, due to his course courtrom manner and the harsh way that he dealt with those who appeared in court before him. He famously told a defendant that "Ye're a vera clever chiel, man, but ye wad be nane the waur o' a hingin ["You're a very clever fellow, man, but you'd be none the worse for hanging"]." Another famous remark attributed to Braxfield was "Let them bring me prisoners, and I will find them law". In a 2006 survey of Scottish historians, Braxfield was labelled one of the "vilest villains" in Scotland's history - something of an irony for a supposed man of the law. The portrait above was painted by Sir Henry Raeburn shortly before Braxfield died. Lord Braxfield is thought to be the model for the judge in Robert Louis Stevenson's unfinished novel Weir of Hermiston.
William Smellie
William Smellie (1697 - 1763) was a born in Lanark and was a Scottish doctor, specialising in obstetrics (the practice of caring for women's health during pregnancy and childbirth). He began his education at Lanark Grammar School and later studied at the University of Glasgow, getting his medical degree in 1745. As was common at the time, he practised medicine before formally qualifying as a doctor. He trained in obstetrics in London and Paris and then opened his own practice in London and started teaching. He designed a machine, a sort of manekin, or human model, for training purposes, and designed obstetrical foreceps, a medical intrument for delivering babies. Smellie made many other improvements and innovations in the area of childbirth, and published his teachings. Many doctors of 18th century Britain studied under Smellie, including brothers William and John Hunter, two of the leading and most famous scientists of the day. There is some controversy about how Smellie (and later the Hunter brothers) found the bodies that were so important for experiments and research. Some historians think that poor pregnant women may have been murdered, although there is no evidence for this. William Smellie (and later his wife) were buried in the St. Kentigerns section of the state run Lanark graveyard, where their tomb can be visited. The William Smellie Memorial Hospital in Lanark was opened in the late 19th century as a maternity hospital and named after him. Many of the children I went to school with were born in this hospital, and although it closed in the early 1990s, it can still be visited today - see section Buildings in Lanark.
John Glaister
John Glaister (1856 – 1932), was a Scottish doctor and one of the pioneers of forensic science. He was born in Lanark and began his education at Lanark Grammar School. His interest in forensics came after reading a report written by former pupil William Smellie, the 18th century obstetrician. After graduating from Glasgow University, Glaister became a police surgeon and a general practitioner in the Townhead area of Glasgow. In 1881, he began work as a lecturer in Medical Jurisprudence at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary Medical School, and in 1887 became a Special Lecturer in Public Health. In 1889 he was promoted to Professor of Forensic Medicine and Public Health, a post he held until 1931. In 1902, he published his most famous work, A Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Toxicology and Public Health, which is still a standard text today. His practical as well as a theoretical approach to forensics made him an expert witness in many high profile criminal cases, including the trial of Oscar Slater in 1909.
Walter Smith
Walter Ferguson Smith, OBE (born 24 February 1948) is a Scottish football player, manager and director. As a player he represented Dundee United and Dumbarton. His first job in football coaching was with Dundee United, before working as coach of Scotland's under 18 and under 21 teams. In 1986 he became assistant manager of the senior Scotland team, working under Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured left). He is best known for his two periods in charge of Scottish club Rangers, from 1991-1998 and 2007-20011. With Rangers he won 13 major trophies in seven years, including seven league titles in succession and he is the second most successful manager in the club's history, after Bill Struth. He has also managed English Premiership club Everton (1998-2002), and was assistant once more to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2004. From 2004 to 2007, he managaged the Scotland national team. He retired from football management in 2011.
Colin McRae
Colin Steele McRae, MBE (1968 – 2007) was a Scottish rally driver born in Lanark. Colin grew up in a family with a strong tradition of motor sport. His father was Jimmy McRae, five-time British Rally Champion, and his younger brother, Alister McRae. Colin won the 1991 and 1992 British Rally Championship and became the first British driver to win the World Rally Drivers Title in 1995. He was also the youngest driver to win and still holds this record. McRae's excellent performances with the Subaru World Rally Team helped them win the World Rally Championship Constructors’ title three times in a row, in 1995, 1996 and 1997. McRae then joined the Ford Motor Co. team, and won nine rally events during his four years with them, later also racing for Citroen. In 1996, Colin was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to motor sport. Towards the end of his career, McRae also competed in other motor racing events outside rallying, including the 2002 Ascar race (UK version of NASCAR) race and the 2004 Le Mans 24 Hour Race. He also took part in the famously gruelling Dakar Rally in 2004 and 2005. Colin McRae died tragically in 2007 when the helicopter he was piloting crashed near his home, just outside Lanark. His young son and two family friends also died in the accident. In 2008 Colin McRae was made a member of the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, and he remains a sporting hero to the people of Lanark and beyond.