16 Facts About Alexander Cowan

Alexander Cowan was a Scottish papermaker and philanthropist.

Alexander Cowan was the 13th child and third surviving son of Charles Cowan and Marjory Cowan nee Fidler Alexander Cowan was a cousin and friend of Thomas Chalmers, the prominent Scottish minister.

The Cowan Family owned the huge Valleyfield paper-works in Penicuik in Midlothian and Sir Walter Scott refers to Alexander's brother Duncan as "Honest Duncan the Paper Manufacturer" in The Fortunes Of Nigel.

Alexander Cowan took over the running of the paper works when the Government sold it back to the family in 1820.

Alexander Cowan was born at Valleyfield on the edge of Penicuik on the banks of the North Esk.

Alexander Cowan studied physics and chemistry in Edinburgh, and decided to improve the process of paper-making, setting up what was then one of the world's largest mills, which operated for 150 years.

Alexander Cowan married Elizabeth Hall, daughter of George Hall, a merchant in Crail, in Fife, in 1800.

Alexander Cowan moved his family to Edinburgh in 1811, which some accounts connect to the illness of his wife Elizabeth.

Alexander Cowan is known to have been a friend of the botanist Daniel Ellis during this period.

Alexander Cowan is buried in the Grange Cemetery in Edinburgh against the original west wall close to the monument to Andrew Usher.

Alexander Cowan's grave is marked by a large monument, dwarfing even that of Usher.

Meanwhile Alexander Cowan continued paper-making on the River Esk at Melville Mill.

In 1832 during the cholera epidemic in Edinburgh, Alexander Cowan is said to have sat with victims on the Canongate to comfort them.

In 1809, Alexander Cowan improved the existing water supply of Penicuik; afterward, by legacy, he further provided for the establishment of a new water supply which was effected in 1864 with water from the Sillerburn.

Alexander's great grandson and namesake Alexander Cowan FRSE was a papermaker, as were most descendants, but a noted amateur botanist, specialising in alpine plants.

Alexander Cowan's will left monies to Penicuik sufficient to build the Cowan Institute in his memory.