George Seton
Encyclopedia
George Seton was a Scottish
philanthropist
and genealogist.
. Seton was educated at Edinburgh High School, the University of Edinburgh
, and Exeter College
, Oxford, from which he graduated in 1845.
in 1846, Seton never practiced as a lawyer. Instead, he filled various public offices, as secretary to the Registrar-general for Scotland
(from 1854) and Superintendent of the civil service examinations in Scotland (from 1862).
Seton was one of the founders of the St Andrews Boat Club, the first vice-chairman of the Society for Improving the Condition of the Poor, a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
and of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
. However, his real love was genealogy
, and in 1863 he published The Law and Practice of Heraldry in Scotland.
and in 1859 raised his own company of volunteer grenadier artillerymen, all of whom were over 6 feet tall.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
and genealogist.
Early life
Seton's father was a merchant in the East India CompanyEast India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
. Seton was educated at Edinburgh High School, the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, and Exeter College
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
, Oxford, from which he graduated in 1845.
Public service
Although called to the Scottish barFaculty of Advocates
The Faculty of Advocates is an independent body of lawyers who have been admitted to practise as advocates before the courts of Scotland, especially the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary...
in 1846, Seton never practiced as a lawyer. Instead, he filled various public offices, as secretary to the Registrar-general for Scotland
General Register Office for Scotland
The General Register Office for Scotland was a non-ministerial directorate of the Scottish Government that administered the registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions in Scotland. It was also responsible for the statutes relating to the formalities of marriage and conduct...
(from 1854) and Superintendent of the civil service examinations in Scotland (from 1862).
Seton was one of the founders of the St Andrews Boat Club, the first vice-chairman of the Society for Improving the Condition of the Poor, a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
and of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is the senior antiquarian body in Scotland, with its headquarters in the National Museum, Chambers Street, Edinburgh...
. However, his real love was genealogy
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
, and in 1863 he published The Law and Practice of Heraldry in Scotland.
Tall soldiers
Over 6 feet 5 inches (1 meter 95) in height, Seton served in the Royal Company of ArchersRoyal Company of Archers
The Royal Company of Archers is a ceremonial unit that serves as the Sovereign's Bodyguard in Scotland, a role it has performed since 1822 and the reign of King George IV, when the company provided a personal bodyguard to the King on his visit to Scotland. It is currently known as the Queen's...
and in 1859 raised his own company of volunteer grenadier artillerymen, all of whom were over 6 feet tall.
Works
- The Law and Practice of Heraldry in Scotland (1863)
- History of the family of Seton (2 vols., 1896)