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| Single Person record details
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Back
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Person Code
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DS/UK/25182
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PreTitle
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Sir
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Forenames
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James
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Surname
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Steel
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Dates
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1830-1904
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Epithet
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Lord Provost of Edinburgh
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Activity
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James Steel was born in 1830 and came to Edinburgh in 1866, where he laid the foundation of a business as builder and a quarrymaster. The business expanded rapidly, and Steel became the builder of many Edinburgh streets, including a large part of Dalry. In circa 1877 he acquired from the Heriot Trust ground in the West End and built Douglas, Glencairn and Eglinton Crescents. He was also the builder of Belgrave Place and of parts of Belgrave Crescent and Buckingham Terrace. In 1894 he bought some eighty acres in the Comely Bank neighbourhood from Colonel Learmouth and built tenements.
As well as his extensive building operations, James Steel was also a town councillor elected in 1872 to represent the George Square Ward. With his building knowledge he obtained membership of all committees dealing with construction in the city. In 1888 he was elected as a bailie and chosen as Lord Provost in 1900. During his term of office (1900-1903) he completed many of the public building schemes undertaken by his predecessors. As a result the cable tramways were put into operation, the extension of the west wing of the City Chambers was finished, and the Fever Hospital at Colinton was opened by King Edward VII, who on that occasion created the Lord Provost a baronet. Sir James died shortly after relinquishing office, on 3rd September 1904.
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Associated records
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| GB236/SL104 | Sir James Steel of Muirieston, baronet | 1869-1938 |
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