Background
Whitelaw was born in 1823 in Drumpark in Monklands and was educated at Grange School, Sunderland and then took some time to study mining.
Whitelaw was born in 1823 in Drumpark in Monklands and was educated at Grange School, Sunderland and then took some time to study mining.
The Baird family acquired the Gartsherrie coal fields in 1826 and the mansion and estate in 1834. Through his philanthropy, he left endowments to churches and schools, including helping to found the Gartsherrie Academy, and for the 1863–1864 session he was Vice President of the Academy. Whitelaw"s interest in education led him to become Chairman of the Glasgow School Board in 1873.
One cartoon shows him having administered a thrashing to John Page Hopps, a fellow Board member with whom he had clashed.
In 1863, Whitelaw is recorded in the "Curler"s Annual" as being the President of the Coatbridge Cricket Club. Whitelaw was a Conservative and represented Glasgow as an Member of Parliament from 1874 until his death in 1879.
21st United Kingdom Parliament.