William Kirk Dickson

1 and 3 Darnaway Street, Edinburgh

The grave of William Kirk Dickson, Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh

William Kirk Dickson (1860 – 14 July 1949) was a Scottish advocate, librarian and writer. He was Keeper of the Advocates' Library from 1906 to 1925, and Librarian of the National Library of Scotland from 1925 to 1931.^[1]

Life

He was born in Edinburgh, the son of William Dickson of Mauricewood (near Glencorse) and his wife, Anne Kirk.^[2]

He studied law at University of Edinburgh and qualified as an advocate in 1887.

In 1890 he was living and working at 38 York Place.^[3]

In the late 19th century he lived at 3 Darnaway Street on the Moray Estate in western Edinburgh.^[4]

In 1912 University of St Andrews granted him an honorary doctorate, LL.D.

He died in Edinburgh on 14 July 1949 and is buried with his parents in the Grange Cemetery in the south of the city. The grave lies against the south wall. His wife Kathleen Murdoch, daughter of Major General Sir Robert Murdoch-Smith lies with him. His son Rear Admiral Robert Kirk Dickson (1898–1952) is buried at St Mark's Church, Highcliffe, Dorset.

His youngest son, Archibald William Dickson, was killed in the Battle of Jutland, when HMS Queen Mary was destroyed by SMS Derfflinger, aged 16.^[5]

References

1. "The First Reader's Ticket – Brief biographies". National Library of Scotland. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
2. "Biographies – William Dickson – Donald Ross". National Library of Scotland. 26 October 1925. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
3. Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1890
4. Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1899-1900
5. "Experiences of the Great War : Case study: Archibald William Dickson" (PDF). National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 28 February 2017.

External links

• Works by William Kirk Dickson at Project Gutenberg
• Works by or about William Kirk Dickson at the Internet Archive