COUTTS, THOMAS English banker and founder of the banking house of Coutts & Co., was born on Sept. 7, He was the fourth son of John Coutts lord provost of Edinburgh in 1742, who carried on a business in corn and negotiated bills of exchange. Soon after the death of John Coutts the business was divided into two branches, one car ried on in Edinburgh, the other in London. The banking business in London was in the hands of James and Thomas Coutts, sons of John Coutts. From the death of his brother in 1778, Thomas, as surviving partner, became sole head of the firm; and under his direction the banking house was firmly established. He died in London on Feb. 24, 18 2 2.
See C. Rogers, Genealogical Memoirs of the Families of Colt and Coutts (1879) ; and R. Richardson, Coutts & Co. (19oo).