| Administrative History | Sir William Forbes [1739-1806] Banker, longstanding friend and later biographer of Beattie. From an Episcopalian family, and related to Lord Forbes of Pistligo, whose estates were confiscated for his part in the 1745 rebellion. He was apprenticed to Coutt's bank, becoming a partner in Forbes, Hunter and Co in 1773. He was well-known in literary circles in Edinburgh and London. Beattie met him in Edinburgh in 1765, introduced by Robert Arbuthnot. Forbes was Beattie's banker, adviser on literary matters, and general confidant
Alexander Kincaid [1734-1777] Edinburgh printer and bookseller, partner of John Bell 1768-71
Edward Dilly [1732-1779]. He and his brother Charles were booksellers in The Poultry, London. The brothers were the London publishers of the Essay on Truth and The Minstrel |