North British Society

The North British Society (also known as "The Scots" and "Scots Club") was founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1768, the oldest Scottish heritage society outside Great Britain.^[1] North British is an adjective used as an alternative to "Scottish".

The Society was established "for the benefit of ourselves and assistance of each other, who may be afflicted with disease or any other casualty or misfortune." Since 1768, the Society has continued to support the Scottish community in Nova Scotia.

The Society met regularly at the Great Pontack (Halifax).

The Society likely commissioned the portrait of Prince Edward by William J. Weaver which now is in Province House (Nova Scotia) (1797). The Society raffled the portrait on the eve of the North British Society's local celebration of the St. Andrew's Day, when the patriotic sentiment was roused by the stunning news of Admiral Nelson's glorious naval victory over Napoleon in the Battle of the Nile.^[2]

The Society public activities include commissioning three works for Victoria Park, Halifax: the Robert Burns statue (1919), the Sir Walter Scott bust (1932), and the Sir William Alexander cairn (1957).

Notable members

• Sir William Young (Nova Scotia politician)
• George Lang (builder)
• John Black (New Brunswick merchant)
• Alexander Keith (Canadian politician) and brewer
• Sir Charles Frederick Fraser
• William Murdoch^[3]
• Andrew Brown (minister)

Work commissioned by Society

• 

  Robbie Burns by George A. Lawson (1919)

• 

  Sir Walter Scott by Sir Francis Chantrey (1932)

• 

  William Alexander Monument, built of stones from his Menstrie Castle (1957)

• 

  Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn By William J. Weaver, Province House (Nova Scotia)

See also

• Charitable Irish Society of Halifax

References

• North British Society
• Annals, North British Society, Halifax, Nova Scotia : with portraits and biographical notes, 1768-1903 (1905)
• "Discourse delivered before the North-British Society: in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at their anniversary meeting on the 30th of November 1790 (1791)" by Andrew Brown
• "Annals of the North British Society of Halifax, Nova Scotia: from its foundation in 1768, to its centenary celebration March 26th, 1865 (1868)"
• "Celebration of Burns' centenary: Halifax, Nova Scotia, 25th Januaay [sic] 1859 (1859)"

Endnotes

1. North British Society
2. Schweizer, Paul D.William J. Weaver (ca. 1759-1817): Halifax Portraitist. Nova Scotia Historical Review. 1993. Vol. 13. No. 1, p. 83
3. http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/murdoch_william_9E.html