Details

Name

George Heriot

Brief Biography

1563-1624, Scottish

Occupation

Goldsmith

Description

George Heriot was born in Edinburgh on 15 June 1563. He married Christian, daughter of Simon Marjoribanks, in 1586. In 1588 Heriot became a Burgess of Edinburgh, and member of the guild of Edinburgh goldsmiths. He was appointed by James VI as goldsmith to his consort, Anne of Denmark, in 1597, and subsequently was appointed jeweller to James VI in 1601. Heriot moved to London in 1603 after the accession of James VI as I of England, where he received a patent as one of three jewellers to the king, with a salary of £150 per annum. He married his second wife Alison (1591/2-1612), the eldest daughter of James Primrose of Carrington, in 1612. Heriot died on 12 February 1624 leaving the residue of his estate to the ‘provost, bailiffs, ministers and council’ of Edinburgh, ‘for and towards the founding and erecting of an hospital’. Money was used to found Heriot Hospital, School and later Heriot-Watt University.