FORBES, Sir WILLIAM, of Pitsligo, Bart., an eminent Scottish banker, son of sir William Forbes, Bart., advocate, was born in Edinburgh, April 5, 1739. He succeeded his father when only 4 years old, and received his education at Aberdeen. In his 15th year, he was introduced into the bank of Edinburgh of Messrs. John Coutts & Co. ; and in 1871, was admitted a partner. In 1763, one of the brothers Coutts having died, while another retired on account of ill health; and two others were settled as bankers in London, a new company was formed, consisting of sir William Forbes; Mr. Hunter, afterwards sir James Hunter Blair; Mr., afterwards sir Robert Herries; and Messrs. Stephen and Cochrane. They at first carried on business in the name of the old firm. On 1st Jan., 1773, however, on some changes in the partnership taking place, the name was changed to that of sir W. Forbes, J. Hunter & Co., and of this firm sir William con tinued to be the head till his death. In 1781, he purchased the estate of Pitsligo, Aber deenshire, which had been forfeited by lord Forbes of Pitsligo for taking part in the rebellion of 1745. Animated by genuine patriotism and public spirit, he introduced
the most extensive improvements on it, and laid out and built the village of New Pit sligo. He was a member, with Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Reynolds, and others, of the cerebrated literary club of London, and the author of a life of his friend, Dr. Beattie, the poet, published, with his works, in 2 vols., 4to, in 1905; also of Memoirs of a Bank ing House, being the history of his own, edited by Mr. Robert Chambers (Edinburgh, 1860). He died at his seat near Edinburgh, Nov. 12, 1806, aged 68. By his wife, Eliza beth, eldest daughter of sir James Hay of Hayston, bart., he had three sons and five daughters. Universally esteemed and respected, his character is well described by sir Walter Scott in the introductory address of one of the cantos of Marmion. His bauk became, in 1830, the Union Bank of Scotland.