William Cruden (provost)

William Cruden (1726–1807) was a Scottish merchant who twice served as Lord Provost of Aberdeen.

He was born in the parish of Strichen in northern Aberdeenshire the son of a William Cruden (b.1703) a farmer, and his wife, Anna Phaans (1700-1780).

He was first elected Lord Provost of Aberdeen in 1784 in place of William Young, serving the standard two years in this role.

[citation needed] He died on 23 December 1807 and is buried in the churchyard of the Kirk of St Nicholas in central Aberdeen.

[citation needed] He was first married to Katherine Murdoch (1718-1758) with whom he had four sons and two daughters.