Charles Brodie Boog WatsonFRSE FSA(Scot) (7 Nov 1858 - 16 Jan 1947[1]) was a 19th/20th-century Scottish engineer and antiquarian. His analytical and accurate approach to research makes him a historian's historian especially in the field of social history.
He left a large collection of books and documents to the city on his death, known as the Boog Watson Bequest.[2]
Not until 1895 does Charles appear as a home-owner (despite being married for several years). He than appears living at 16 Granville Terrace in the Merchiston district of Edinburgh. He is then listed for the first time as "engineer, West End Engine Works", these being at 170 Dundee Street.[4] He was later made a partner in this company.
He retired from engineering in 1908 and then applied himself to research and cataloguing of Edinburgh's history, being given his own room in Edinburgh City Chambers for this purpose.[6] He was an active member of the Old Edinburgh Club, producing the majority of their papers from 1920 to 1940.[7] In 1933 he joined the ruling council of the Cockburn Association, Edinburgh's influential conservation organisation.[8]