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^[1] and, through Constable, an associate of Sir Walter Scott.^[2] 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.