Alexander Cowan

Alexander Cowan (17 June 1775 – 13 February 1859) was a Scottish papermaker and philanthropist. He was the 13th child and third surviving son of Charles Cowan (8 June 1735 – 23 February 1805) and Marjory Cowan nee Fidler (16 July 1734 – 30 November 1819) He was also a cousin and friend of Thomas Chalmers, the prominent Scottish minister. Through his business he was a friend and associate of the publisher Archibald Constable and, through Constable, an associate of Sir Walter Scott. The Cowan Family owned the huge Valleyfield paper-works in Penicuik in Midlothian and Sir Walter Scott refers to Alexander's brother Duncan as "Honest Duncan the Paper Manufacturer" in The Fortunes Of Nigel. Alexander was a trustee who helped Sir Walter Scott out of Bankruptcy. He took over the running of the paper works when the Government sold it back to the family in 1820. Provided by Wikipedia