George Baillie
The City of Glasgow has been particularly rich in citizens who have devoted their wealth - usually bequests of money or private collections - to the establishment of public libraries. Such notable individuals include: Walter Stirling, Stephen Mitchell, Robert Jeffrey and the founder of the public library of Baillie's Institution, George Baillie.
George Baillie was born in Paisley on 23 December 1784 but grew up and was educated in Glasgow. He trained to be a solicitor and was admitted to the Faculty of Procurators in 1811. One of his ambitions was to set up a Faculty Library and he eventually achieved this in 1817.
He retired in 1829, while still a relatively young man and spent several years travelling abroad, taking a particular interest in educational matters. He kept a series of journals during this time which are now in the Library of the Royal Faculty of Procurators, except for the volume confiscated by Russian officials who thought he was a spy!
He devoted his remaining years in Glasgow to his twin loves of reading and education and, inspired by the example of two 17th century Glasgow philanthropists, George and Thomas Hutcheson, planned his memorial, Baillie's Institution.
George Baillie died on 8 February 1873 at his home in Dalhousie Street, Garnethill and was buried in the High Churchyard at Glasgow Cathedral. His memorial tomb was erected by the Faculty of Procurators.
More about Baillie's Library
More about Baillie's Library Collections