Michael T Tracy

William Fernie Buist (1818-1860) Michael T Tracy

William Fraser Buist was described as a well-read, refined man, and most agreeable companion. He was the fourth child of the esteemed Reverend Dr. George Buist (1779-1860) and by 1842 the last surviving son. He was born at Lawpark in St. Andrews and St. Leonards Parish, Fife and was later educated at the University of St. Andrews in 1832-33 studying the Humanities. Buist would never marry and started his own coal and ironstone company in Airdrie, Lanarkshire called William Fernie Buist and Company with his father's financial backing. The business would eventually falter and he returned to St. Andrews. His attainments in experimental science, his discoveries in mechanics and general knowledge on other important topics, are well known to his old friends, although perhaps not to the world at large. Indeed, even while in Airdrie, he came back to St. Andrews frequently and was a member of the Literary and Philosophical Society of St. Andrews since 1841. However, he was an avid golfer and a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club for many years and described as the most successful gentleman player of his day. This then is the narrative of the life and times of William Fernie Buist.