Peter Clouston (1807-1888) was an insurance broker, councillor and Lord Provost.
Born in Greenock, Clouston was brought to Glasgow by his widowed mother when he was one year old. At the age of 14 he joined William Bennett & Co, insurance brokers, eventually becoming a partner.
In 1854 Clouston was elected to the Town Council. He was soon appointed a magistrate and in 1860 was unanimously elected Lord Provost, a post he held until 1863. Among the dignitaries he welcomed to Glasgow as Lord Provost were the Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston, and Empress Eugenie of France.
Following his retirement from municipal life, Clouston continued to be active in business and charitable works. He became Chairman of the Glasgow & South Western Railway Co and spent over twenty years on the board of management of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, much of the time as honorary treasurer.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC 920.04 BAI
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
councillors, Glasgow & South Western Railway Co, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, insurance brokers, Lord Provosts, magistrates, William Bennett & Co