George Dempster of Dunnichen | |
|---|---|
 George Dempster, portrait by George Willison | |
| Member of Parliament for Perth Burghs | |
| In office 1769–1790 | |
| Preceded by | William Pulteney |
| Succeeded by | George Murray |
| Member of Parliament for Perth Burghs | |
| In office 1761–1768 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Leslie |
| Succeeded by | William Pulteney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1732 Dundee, Great Britain |
| Died | 1818 (aged 86) Dunnichen, Angus, Great Britain |
| Resting place | Restenneth Priory, Forfar |
| Political party | Independent Whig |
| Spouse | Rose Heming [1748-1810] |
| Alma mater | University of St Andrews University of Edinburgh Académie Royale |
| Profession | Politician |
George Dempster of Dunnichen and Skibo FRSE FSA (Scot) (1732–1818) was a Scottish advocate, landowner, agricultural improver and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1761 and 1790. Dempster founded the bank George Dempster & Co. (also known as the Dundee Banking Company) in 1763, was a Director of the East India Company from 1769, and served as Provost of St Andrews (1780) and a Director of the Highland Society of Scotland (1789).
Dempster, nicknamed Honest George,[1] was a key figure of the Scottish Enlightenment and respected as an "independently minded, incorruptible and moderately radical MP". He dedicated the later years of his life to improving Scottish fishing and agriculture and improving the living conditions of his tenants.
He was a lifelong friend of the philosopher Adam Ferguson and the minister Alexander Carlyle.
- ^ Gauldie, Enid (1989). "One Artful and Ambitious Individual: Alexander Riddoch" (PDF). Publisher=Abertay Historical Society.