Old Photograph Ardblair Castle Scotland

Old photograph of Ardblair Castle near Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. This Scottish tower house was built by the Blairs during the Norman period, on the site of a fort. In the reign of King Robert III, born 1390, died 1406, the lands of Ardblair were granted to Thomas Blair of Balthayock, remaining with his family until 1792, when the estate passed to the Oliphants of Gask.

Prominent Blairs in Scottish history include: John Blair, chaplain to Sir William Wallace; Robert Blair, born 1699, died 1746, a poet best known for the epic poem The Grave; his son Robert Blair of Avantoun, born 1741, died 1811, Solicitor General for Scotland under King George III, and Lord President of the Court of Session, equivalent to Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court; Doctor Patrick Blair, botanist and surgeon; Robert Blair, inventor of the aplanatic telescope; Eric Blair, a writer best known by his pen name George Orwell; Tony Charles Lynton Blair, born in 1953 in Edinburgh, educated in Fettis College, read law at Oxford University, in England, former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Robin Orr Blair, appointed Lord Lyon, King of Arms of Scotland by the Queen in 2001.

Blair is also a prominent surname in Ireland. These Blairs are primarily descended from Scots who settled in Northern Ireland in earlier centuries. Many moved on to the U.S. and the British Commonwealth, where they are found today, and were known as Scotch Irish.

The first Blair in America is thought to be Commissary James Blair, born in Edinburgh, educated in the University. of Edinburgh, who arrived in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1685. He founded the second oldest college in America, William & Mary College, and served as president for 40 years and was acting Governor of the Colony of Virginia from 1740 to 1741, while The Reverend John Blair, of Fagg’s Manor, helped found Princeton University. Other prominent Blairs in American history include John Blair, signer of the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court Justice, appointed by President Washington; Francis Preston Blair, newspaper editor and confidante of several U.S. Presidents; Francis Preston Blair, Junior, Civil War General, U.S.Senator, and candidate for Vice President in 1868; Montgomery Blair, Postmaster General under President Lincoln; two state Governors, Austin Blair & James T. Blair, and a wife of a state Governor; numerous U.S. Congressman and Senators; John Insley Blair, a railroad magnate and philanthropist; Andrew Blair, Canadian Statesman, and Bonnie Blair of Champaign Illinois, Olympic Gold Medal winner for speed skating.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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