Andrew Grant (MP)

Andrew Grant (13 June 1830 – 1924) was a Scottish merchant and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1878 to 1885.

Grant was born in Cassell’s Place, Leith Walk, Leith, the elder of twin sons of Rev James Grant and his wife Jessie Ann Campbell of Achindoon, Argyllshire. His father was minister of South Leith Parish church and later (1854) was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and Director of Scottish Widows from 1840 to 1890. Grant was educated at Leith High School Edinburgh and Edinburgh University.

In 1854 Grant went to China where he lived for four years and then in 1858 went to Bombay where he joined the firm of Campbell, Mitchell & Co. He became chairman of the company and was in business there as a merchant until 1866. He was a co-founder and Fellow of the University of Bombay, twice Chairman of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, founder member and first Chairman of the Royal Bank of India.

Grant returned to Britain in 1866, establishing himself in business, in Liverpool, until his retirement, at the age of forty-two, in 1873. In 1875 took the Invermay estate at Forteviot, Perthshire, for his first country seat. Invermay was one of the many country estates of Lord Clinton, Baron Fortescue.

Grant was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

In 1878, Grant was invited to stand as Liberal candidate for Leith Burghs. He was elected Member of Parliament for Leith Burghs at a by-election in 1878, holding the seat for the Liberals, with a majority of 3141. In the General Election of 1880 he was returned unopposed. He represented the constituency until he retired in 1885. He was a highly respected politician, who much considered the well being of his constituents.

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