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Guthrie, Alexander, c1525-1582 (notary, Town Clerk of Edinburgh)

 Person

Biography

Alexander Guthrie was admitted burgess and guild brother of Edinburgh on 10 January 1549. It is claimed that he was the son of Sir William Guthrie of Lunan. He was appointed common clerk of Edinburgh (Town Clerk, probably in 1553.

He was heavily involved in the Reformation politics of his time and his oponents nicknamed him 'King Guthrie'. In 1566 Guthrie was implicated in the murder of David Riccio or Rizzio and was removed from office. Sources differ on whether he ever regained the office of Town Clerk but his son, also Alexander, held it from 1580. He died 23 August 1582.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

EUA GD70 (Dd.3.16) no. 2
EUA GD70 (Dd.3.16) no. 2

Clement Litill bequest

 Fonds — Box EUA GD70 (Dd.3.16)
Identifier: EUA GD70
Scope and Contents

Instrument dated 14 October 1580, recording the delivery of of books bequeathed by Edinburgh advocate, Clement Litill to the town and kirk of Edinburgh.


It includes a copy of the minute of Edinburgh Town Council and inventory of the books written out by Alexander Guthrie, Town Clerk. According to Charles P. Finlayson, this was intended to hang on the library wall. It is currently unclear which Alexander Guthrie (father or son) was Town Clerk in October 1580.

Dates: 1580
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections

Letters narrating that the provost and bailies of Edinburgh, at the instance of Mr. Alexander Guthre, procurator-fiscal of the burgh, had cited parties interested to appear on the date hereof to hear and see the protocol-books of the late Alexander King, 24th July 1556

 Item
Identifier: La.V/614
Scope and Contents Letters narrating that the provost and bailies of Edinburgh, at the instance of Mr. Alexander Guthre, procurator-fiscal of the burgh, had cited parties interested to appear on the date hereof to hear and see the protocol-books of the late Alexander King, notary, sometime clerk-depute of the burgh, publicly transumed, or to allege cause against the same; and no one appearing or opposing the production of the protocols, they were inspected by the proper officers and deposited in the custody of...
Dates: 24th July 1556
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Laing Collection / Section V. Laing Charters

Notarial Instrument narrating that Alexander Uddart, one of the bailies of Edinburgh, passed to the tenement of land of the late Alexander Park, 30th March 1574

 Item
Identifier: GB 237 Coll-1/5/2969
Scope and Contents Notarial Instrument narrating that Alexander Uddart, one of the bailies of Edinburgh, passed to the tenement of land of the late Alexander Park, burgess of that burgh, lying on the north side of the High Street, between the tenement of the late Adam Kyle and Thomas Thomson on the west, the tenement of land of John Gilbert, goldsmith, and the heirs of the late Mariota Scott on the east; and there John Campbell, burgess of Glasgow, and Marion Gayne, his spouse, by her procurator, resigned into...
Dates: 30th March 1574
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Laing Collection / Section V. Laing Charters

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