Background
Born in Aberdeen, he was the son of John Blaikie (1756–1826), a plumbing merchant and his wife Helen Richardson (1765–1844).
Born in Aberdeen, he was the son of John Blaikie (1756–1826), a plumbing merchant and his wife Helen Richardson (1765–1844).
He was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and then went to Marischal College.
Blaikie was elected Lord Provost of Aberdeen five times and served from 1839 until 1847 and again from 1853 until 1856. The Barque Agnes Blaikie (barque) was presumably named in her honour. They had 10 children.
John, Janet, Helen, Agnes Dingwall, Jane, Margaret Jopp, Ann Thomson, Thomas, George Thomson & Emily.
Incidentally, Agnes Dingwall Bateson (née Blaikie) was the mother of Sir Alexander Dingwall Bateson, high court judge, and Harold Dingwall Bateson, England Rugby player. Another point of interest in Sir Thomas" life, was the first conflict of interest case, Aberdeen Railway Company v Blaikie Brothers.
Blaikie Brothers were an engineering company specialising in Iron work. A notable piece of work they carried out was the renovation of Crathie Suspension Bridge near Balmoral Castle in 1885.
This work was contracted by Queen Victoria.