The story of the builder of Georgian Stirling between the years 1806 and 1829, Alexander Bowie, has been researched via the Internet and through the genealogy newsgroups descendants have been contacted in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Scotland.
Major General Hector Macdonald a crofter's son, rose from private to major-general and fought in the Afghan and Boer Wars. He saved the British Army from destruction at the Battle of Omdurman.
Sir James W Black was the winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1988
A large collection of short biographies of Scots who have made a difference to the world from Electric Scotland. There is also a separate section on Scots Women in History and Scots Pioneers in Medicine
Provides notes on Famous Glaswegians and people who have done famous things in the city.
This National Library of Scotland feature has a selection of leading Scottish writers, photographed over the last thirty years by Edinburgh publisher and photographer Gordon Wright, with a short biographical note on each. The writers covered include:
The National Library of Scotland also has some longer features on aspects of a few famous Scots, including:
Not just sculptors but the work and biographies of over 220 sculptors and architects connected with Glasgow, covering over four centuries, with a wealth of material from the 'golden years' of the Victorian era. The pages covering the biographies of individual sculptors (and there are a lot of them) are particularly rich in illustrations.
Dumfries and Galloway Virtual Region
Their Hall of Fame has good biographies of a number of people connected with the region including:
A very large site dedicated to the life and times of the man who put the fledgling US Navy on the map during the War of Independence. There is a biography and chronology, why he took the name "Jones" (he was born in Scotland as John Paul), details of his ship the "Ranger", background to a 1959 film on Jones, the raid which he carried out on Britain (including landing back in Scotland), the John Paul Jones House Museum and links to other sites.
A Web site dedicated to Lanarkshire's Victoria Cross heroes - the stories of the lives before and after their award to 13 men who earned the UK's highest medal for bravery. There is also a background to the medal itself.
Currie Community Council give a biography and examples of the works of James Thomson an 18th century poet from that area.
Historical Figures in Mathematics
Scots who have made a contribution to the subject, include James Napier, inventor of logarithms, Thomas Carlyle, more famous for his historical writings, plus Colin Maclaurin and Joseph Wedderburn
Muir's books, "My First Summer in the Sierra" and "Our National Parks".
The Andrew Carnegie Foundation has a history of the industrialist and philanthropist as well as links to various Carnegie organisations in USA and Europe (including Carnegie Mellon University ) Elsewhere, there is a Tribute to Andrew Carnegie which includes a sound file of Carnegie's voice.
The Brahan Seer or "Coinneach Odhar" was Scotland's "Nostradamus" who has gained a reputation for being able to predict the future. He first came to the public notice in 1877 when Alexander Mackenzie published a book about him - earlier historical references are scant. His predictions are said to include steam trains and the North Sea oil industry in Aberdeen
One of the most famous murder trials ever to take place in Scotland was that of Madeleine Smith, 140 years ago. The jury found the case "not proven" ( a result which is unique to Scots law). And debate still rages as to whether or not she was guilty. This extensive web site sets out the historical and social background as well as the facts and the testimonies of the witnesses.
The Clan Duffus pages include a review of both Duffuses in the Military and Duffuses in Academia around the world
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1st Marquis of Montrose Society
The object of this website is to inform those who are relatively unaware of the history of the 1st Marquis of Montrose, his life and deeds. You can also join the Society from this site.
This Web site is designed as source of reference and information about the life and work of geologist Hugh Miller (1802-1856) who pioneered research into fossils and the relationship between the different geological ages. There is a selection of Miller's writing and a bibliography.
Not just a biography of the inventor who obtained the world's first real television picture in his laboratory in October, 1925, and demonstrated it to the British public on January 26, 1926. There are illustrations of some of his original equipment.
This Web page is an extensive biography of the man described as the "Father of Clyde Shipbuilding". He was an eminent Victorian industrialist who did more than any other man of his age to make the Clyde the world’s pre-eminent shipbuilding river.
The banking company of Coutts, now the international private banking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, was established by a number of Scotsmen. In 1692, a young Scot, John Campbell of Lundie, set up business as a goldsmith-banker in London. He also o
Brief details of a range of 36 Scottish inventors and "firsts".
This is a BBC obituary to the theatrical legend
This site has a brief biography and a good sample of Chic's unique humour, which speaks volumes about the man himself.
Comprehensive details on the life and humour of "Sexy Lexy" who entertained audiences for nearly 30 years. In addition to a biography of "Scotland's King Of Comedy" there are lots of photographs and links to related sites.
An official site, there is a biography, concert schedule, photo gallery, press cuttings, awards and charity involvement and scholarships available to children with hearing loss, residing in the USA
It was Bill Shankly who said "Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that". This Web site is dedicated to his life and times both as a player and as a manager. Shankly was also famous for other classic quotes and random samples are displayed on the home page - it is worth going back to see such gems as "The trouble with referees is that they know the rules but they don't know the game"
This is a is a vast archive of over 25,000 brief biographies of people from around the world. If you are looking for biographical details of any well known (or not so well known) person, you are likely to find them here. Unfortunately the search engine is based on names only so it is not possible to abstract all the Scots included in the database. However, Rampant Scotland Index has found over 200 famous Scots for you to browse through.
- Robert Adam Architect of Edinburgh New Town and Charlotte Square, Culzean Castle etc
- Saint Andrew Patron Saint of Scotland
- Robert AdamsonChemist
- Alexander I King of Scotland
- Alexander II King of Scotland, succeeded his father, William I, in 1214
- Alexander III King of Scotland, descendant of Kenneth MacAlpin, defeated the Norwegians at Largs, 1263
- Princess Anne Daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and staunch supporter of Scottish Rugby team!
- Sir William Arrol Engineer. Built Forth railway bridge, Tower Bridge
- Dame Isobel Baillie Opera Singer
- Alexander Bain 19th century Philosopher & Psychologist
- John Logie Baird Pioneer of television
- Lord Balfour Politician & Prime Minister
- George Bannatyne Antiquary and collector of poems
- John Barbour Poet, clergyman, "father of Scottish poetry & history"
- James Barke Novelist and researcher/writer on Robert Burns
- J M Barrie Novelist, playwright, creator of "Peter Pan"
This post was modified from its original form on 17 Aug, 7:04
