HERIOT, GEORGE (1563-1624), the founder of Heriot's hospital, Edinburgh, was descended from an old Haddington family; his father, a goldsmith in Edinburgh, represented the city in the Scottish parliament. In 1597 George Heriot became goldsmith (and money-lender) to Anne of Denmark, consort of James VI. In 16o1 he became jeweller to the king, and followed him to London, occupying a shop opposite the Exchange. He died in London on Feb. io, 1624. The surplus of his estate was be queathed to found a hospital for the education of freemen's sons of the town of Edinburgh ; the increment of this bequest supplied funds for the erection of several Heriot foundation schools in different parts of the city.