Publisher and politician. Born in Leith, the son of a corn merchant, Boyd joined the publishing company of Oliver & Boyd, then run by his uncle. He became managing partner from 1843 and senior partner from 1869 until his retiral in 1894. However, Boyd is best remembered as a successful politician who did much to transform Edinburgh. He was Master of the Edinburgh Merchant Company (1869-71), re-organising their operations, and was elected to the town council in 1875, serving as Lord Provost (1877-82). He was the prime mover behind the construction of a new Royal Infirmary for Edinburgh on Lauriston Place in 1879. He also initiated the building of new docks at the Port of Leith, including the Edinburgh Dock which opened in 1881.
Boyd was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1871 and knighted in 1881. He died at his home in Moray Place and lies buried in Dean Cemetery.
