Thomas Sivright (or Sievwright) of Meggetland and Southhouse FSA Scot FRSE (1783–1835) was a 19th-century Scottish landowner, art collector and bibliophile.
Life edit
He was born in Meggetland House, west of Edinburgh the eldest son of Thomas Sivright (1739-1813).[1] The large mansionhouse stood south of the junction of Colinton Road and Polwarth Terrace. The huge grounds are now the Meggetland sports fields.[2] The house was lost to a railway line in the 19th century.
In 1817 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were Sir David Brewster, John Jamieson, and James Bonar.[3] He was elected at the same time as James Skene and William Pulteney Alison.[4]
Over and above his country estates he had a townhouse at 7 West Maitland Street in the West End of Edinburgh.
He died on 6 November 1835. He is buried with his parents in St Cuthberts Churchyard at the west end of Princes Street in Edinburgh. The grave holds a unique position under the west steeple, at the end of the main approach path from Lothian Road.
His valuable book collection was sold by auction in 1836.[5] The auction included several very rare drawings with works by William Blake, Rembrandt, Rubens, Piranesi and Durer.[6] His large collection of Greek and Roman coins and other curiosities was also sold.[7]
Family edit
Not known.
References edit
- ^ "Thomas Sivright (1739-1813) - Find a Grave". Find a Grave.
- ^ "Meggetland (Possible) (Site of) | Castle in Edinburgh parish, Midlothian | Stravaiging around Scotland".
- ^ Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
- ^ The Scots Magazine vol 79, p.92
- ^ Sivright, Thomas (1836). "Catalogue of the Extensive and Valuable Collection of Books, Pictures, Drawings, Prints, and Painter's Etchings ... Of the Late Thomas Sivright: Which Will be Sold by Auction by C.B. Tait".
- ^ "Thomas Sivright and the Lost Designs for Blair's Grave | G. E. Bentley, Jr. | Blake/An Illustrated Quarterly | Volume 19, Issue 3".
- ^ Sivright, Thomas (1836). "Catalogue of the Extensive and Valuable Collection of Books, Pictures, Drawings, Prints, and Painter's Etchings ... Of the Late Thomas Sivright: Which Will be Sold by Auction by C.B. Tait".
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