Sir William Fettes, 1st Baronet

Sir William Fettes, 1st Baronet was a wealthy Scottish businessman and philanthropist, who left a bequest which led to the foundation of Fettes College, in Edinburgh.

Sir William Fettes was the eldest son of William Fettes, an Edinburgh merchant, and his wife Margaret. He entered the business world at the age of 18, trading in wine and tea. By 1800 Fettes was so successful and rich that he retired from business, giving up his time to the management of various landed estates which he had purchased. In 1804 he was created a Baronet.

William’s only son and child, also named William, died in 1815 at the age of 27 while touring Europe. Without a possibility to leave his fortune to the next generation of Fettes, William left the extraordinary sum £166,000 to enable the foundation of Fettes College for the education of poor and orphaned boys. The college was completed in 1870 and still today it remains one of Scotland’s top private schools.