Duncan Davidson (1733–1799)

Duncan Davidson (1733 – 15 August 1799) was a Scottish merchant and Member of Parliament.

He was the second son of William Davidson, of Davidston in the Black Isle, and his wife Jean. His elder brother Henry purchased Tulloch Castle from their maternal grandfather Kenneth Bayne of Knockbain in 1762; Duncan succeeded to the estate on his brother's death in 1781.

At the general election of 1790 Davidson was elected to Parliament for Cromartyshire with the support of William Pulteney, defeating Alexander Brodie who had the support of Henry Dundas. A compromise was reached whereby Davidson would hold the seat for four years before resigning in favour of a candidate to be decided by Brodie's supporters. However, once in Parliament Davidson supported the government and Dundas agreed to his retaining the seat until the next general election.

Davidson married twice, leaving one son by his first wife: Henry, who carried on the family business after his father's death.

References

• David R. Fisher, DAVIDSON, Duncan (1733-99), of Tulloch, Ross and Myles's, Ongar, Essex. and Cromartyshire in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820 (1986).