Royal Society Lecture on Sir Walter Scott

Earlier this evening, I attended an excellent event focussing on the lesser-known aspects of Sir Walter Scott – his life, career and interests, hosted by both the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (SoAoS). Sir Walter Scott was himself a long term President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1820–1832) and a Vice President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (1827–1829).

Chaired by Professor Gerard Carruthers FRSE, (who I remember from my excellent recent Glasgow university course on Robert Burns Poems Songs and Legacy) the lectures were by two speakers from the societies, Dr Iain Gordon Brown PhD FSA FSAScot FRSE and Kirsty Archer-Thompson FSAScot, the latter who I remembered from my fascinating University of Aberdeen/Abbotsford course on “Walter Scott The Man Behind the Monument”.

Professor Norren Murray FRSA, recipient of the 2011 Royal Medal from the Royal Society of Edinburgh

I remember being especially pleased in 2011, when my honours supervisor, Professor Noreen Murray, CBE, who passed away that year, received a Royal Medal from the Royal Society of Edinburgh. As noted in her obituary by Jean Beggs, and David Finnegan:

“Despite her eminence as a scientist, Noreen was always very unassuming and quietly spoken. She was also strong minded and very determined. Noreen’s achievements came at a time when it was not always easy for women to make a career in science and it is a measure of her ability, hard work and determination that she reached the very top of her profession, despite occasionally contending with the unconscious prejudice of the scientific establishment. Perhaps because of this, Noreen was particularly attentive to the careers of her female colleagues and delighted in their success.”

Noreen was also extremely attentive to the careers of her male students and I was always delighted to receive an – always hand-written – letter from such a distinguished scientist who never forgot one of her students and always had kind words of encouragement.

Robert Cadell (Cockenzie, 16 December 1788 – Ratho, 20 January 1849)

Going back to Sir Walter Scott, we were reminded that he had almost suffered financial ruin due to the bankruptcy of his publishers, and while the lecturers did not go into to the details, I was already aware of the circumstances.

Robert Cadell (1788 – 1849) was a bookseller and publisher who started his career with the publisher Archibald Constable and became a partner in the firm from 1811 until it went into receivership in 1826. Its most famous author, Sir Walter Scott, agreed to continue working with him.

Following Sir Walter Scott’s bankruptcy, Robert Cadell purchased the copyright to Sir Walter’s novels jointly with the author and they produced a new edition of the Waverley novels which including new material penned by Scott and illustrations by J M W Turner.

The volumes were published from 1830 onwards and were followed by Abbotsford and People’s Editions. Through an agreement with the family Robert Cadell held the rights to Scott’s works and published John Gibson Lockhart’s biography of his father-in-law, ‘Life of Scott’.

So, who was Robert Cadell? He was none other than the eleventh child of John Cadell, Baron of Tranent & Cockenzie and his wife Mary Buchan, daughter of John Buchan of Letham and Ann Brown. His father became notorious in the county after being one of those responsible for the 1797 Massacre of Tranent where a number of innocent bystanders were killed in cold blood by rampaging dragoons.

John Cadell, Baron of Tranent & Cockenzie (Cockenzie 02 May 1740- 20 January 1814)

Mr John Cadell of Cockenzie (1740 – 1814), was Deputy Lieutenant of Haddingtonshire (East Lothian) at the time of the Massacre of Tranent in 1797.   Like fellow Deputy Lieutenant, David Anderson of Saint Germains, the family of John Cadell of Cockenzie was Nouveau riche. He was a younger son of William Cadell who founded the Carron Iron works in Stirlingshire along with two English partners.

His grandfather William Cadell (with two “d”s – Caddell and Cadell rhyme with “paddle”) was first recorded as a journeyman glazier who was employed by James Hog, a burgess of Haddington. The first William married James Hog’s daughter Anna Hog on 13 July 1701. William Caddell became a freeman of the town of Haddington on 26 June 1704. By the time he died, aged 59, on 20 May 1728, he was described as a “merchant”. William Caddell is buried in Saint Mary’s Church yard in Haddington.

Hugh Francis Cadell (Cockenzie 27 April 1790- Cockenzie 27 April 1873)

While it is said that blood is thicker than water, this is not always the case, as an entry in the diary of Hugh Cadell, the Baron’s 12th child reveals. On the 18th anniversary of John Cadell’s death, his son, Hew (or Hugh) Francis Cadell. Esq, wrote in his diary:

“20th January 1832…. I have had little time to pay thought to my father, John, who died this day 18 years ago. However he is likely not best remembered by the poor souls of Tranent, who will not look fondly on his actions during the riots and killings in 1797. A shameful moment and I never felt the same about him after that.” 

Col. Thomas Cadell VC (Cockenzie 05 September 1835 – Edinburgh 08 April 1919)

One of Hugh Francis Cadell’s sons was Col. Thomas Cadell, who won a Victoria Cross during the Indian Mutiny:

“For having, on the 12th of June, 1857, at the Flag-staff Picquet at Delhi, when the whole of the Picquet of Her Majesty’s 75th Regiment and 2nd European Bengal Fusiliers were driven in by a large body of the enemy, brought in from amongst the enemy a wounded Bugler of his own regiment, under a most severe fire, who would otherwise have been cut up by the rebels. Also, on the same day, when the Fusiliers were retiring, by order, on Metcalfe’s house, on its being reported that there was a wounded man left behind, Lieutenant Cadell went back of his own accord towards the enemy, accompanied by three men, and brought in a man of the 75th Regiment, who was severely wounded, under a most heavy fire from the advancing enemy.“

Jean Dunlop Cadell (13 September 1884 – 24 September 1967)

 The Scottish actress Jean Cadell (13 September 1884 – 24 September 1967) who is possibly best remembered for her role in Whisky Galore, was the great (x2) granddaughter of John Cadell of Cockenzie.

Simon Cadell (London 19 July 1950 – Westminster 06 March 1996)

Jean Cadell’s actor grandson Simon Cadell (Hi-di-Hi) was John Cadell’s great (x4) grandson. On 6 March 1996 Simon Cadell, who was a heavy smoker, died at the age of 45. He is buried with his father, grandmother and other members of the family in the Cadell family grave in Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh. The grave lies on the southern wall.

Selena Cadell (born London 12 August 1953)

Jean Cadell’s actress granddaughter Selina Cadell  is John Cadell’s great (x4) granddaughter.

The Cadell Connection

It will probably come as no surprise to regular readers of this blog that, Jackie Crookston and our ancestors were connected by marriage to the nouveau riche Cadells. We may also be connected by blood, but the the possible DNA connection requires additional matches and verification.