Robert Cranston (Scottish politician)

Brigadier-General Sir Robert Cranston KCVO CB CBE VD DL FEIS FRSSA (2 June 1843[1] – 22 October 1923) was a Scottish military officer who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1903 to 1906.

A younger sister, Mary Cranston Mason (1846-1932), became a social worker and temperance leader.

He died at home at 19 Merchiston Avenue, Edinburgh following a brief illness and was buried with full military honours in the Grange Cemetery following a service in St. Giles Cathedral.

In 1900 he was appointed Treasurer of the Council leading in November 1903 to his being elected Lord Provost of the city, a role which he served for three years.

In this same period he served as Honorary President of George Heriots Former Pupils Golf Club.

[5] In November 1909 he was appointed as the Unionist candidate for Leith district but was unsuccessful in the 1910 election, losing to Viscount Novar (then Mr R.C.Munro-Ferguson).

A large portrait of Sir Robert hangs in Edinburgh City Chambers, painted by Alexander Ignatius Roche (one of the Glasgow Boys).