Archibald Fletcher


1746 - 1828

Campaigner, libertarian and father of burgh reform. Born the son of a farmer, who was chief of Clan Fletcher, at Pubil in Glen Lyon (Perth and Kinross), the young Fletcher was educated at Kenmore and Perth High School. He trained in law in Edinburgh.

An energetic campaigner, he wrote on Church patronage, was prominent in the cause for the abolition of slavery, a supporter of American independence and the French revolution. He pressed for Burgh reform, served as Secretary to the Edinburgh Society for Burgh Reform and drafted a Bill for Parliament.

In 1791, he married the authoress Eliza Dawson (1770 - 1858). Fletcher's liberal principles held back his career at a time when the arch Tory Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville (1742 - 1811), dominated Scottish politics, and the couple often struggled for money much needed to bring up their six children. Latterly the family lived at Auchendinny House (Midlothian), where Fletcher died. He lies buried in Old Calton Burial Ground in Edinburgh.


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