38 Albany Street
1894 – 1905 Robert and Marion (neé Wright) ThinRobert Thin was the youngest son of James Thin and Catherine Traquair. James Thin founded the famous Edinburgh bookshop on South Bridge, that remained in the Thin family until 2002, when it was taken over by Blackwells. James Thin was friends with many of the well-known literary figures of Edinburgh of his day, including Lord Macaulay, Thomas De Quincey, Thomas Carlyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. While two of sons took over running the bookshop, Robert instead qualified in Midwifery Practice in 1887, having trained at the Edinburgh Royal Maternity and Simpson Memorial Hospital. Later, he became the first general practitioner to be appointed President of the Edinburgh Royal College of Surgeons. (Portrait by Henry Wright Kerr) Thin wrote biographical sketches about the portraits in the hall of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. When he died in 1941, aged 80, a ‘Grateful Patient’ wrote: ‘In his visits, while he never gave the impression that he was hurried in his examination and advice, he never wasted his time. And how could be afford to when during an epidemic of influenza he would have over eighty visits to pay in one day, besides a consulting room full for one or two hours. His patients were patients, suffering human beings, whom he would help to the uttermost of medical resources. He was generous for he had many patients to whom he gave his service free. To the last days of his practice his eye was bright and his step light, and he must have climbed many thousands of stairs, so that when he was well on into his seventies one did not think of him as old or even as an elderly man.’
The Kerrs had one son, Robert Traquair, who also became a doctor, and whose son, again Robert, became the third generation to practise medicine.
1907 – 1911 James HarveyThe Reverend James Harvey served as minister at Lady Glenorchy’s United Free Church in Greenside Place (photo) for over 30 years. In 1956, the church was united with Barony & St James’ Place Church to form Hillside Church, and then in 1978, united with Greenside Church. In 1983, the building was sold and eventually demolished except for the façade which has been incorporated into the Glasshouse Hotel. In 1925, Harvey was elected Moderator of the United Free Church. At a meeting it was said of him: ‘there was no form more familiar to the general Assembly that that of Dr James Harvey (Applause). He was an Aberdonian – none the worse for that – (laughter) – rather the better. (Renewed laughter and applause) One of his notable gifts was his capacity for making friends, and his characteristics of leadership and friendship had remained with him.’ 1913 – 1936 Office of Inland Revenue
In 1913, a newspaper advert announced: ‘Notice is hereby given that the office of Surveyor of Taxes for the 2nd District, Edinburgh and the Lands valuation Assessor for the Counties of Linlithgow and Haddington has been removed from York Place to 38 Albany Street.’
1939 – 1943 Office of Masters & Co
Masters & Co were credit drapers, responsible for collecting payments from people who had bought items of clothing on credit. They were sometimes known as Scotch drapers or tallymen, and a number exploited their customers by charging extortionate rates of interest. The reputable members of the trade were at great pains to emphasise just how upstanding and well-regulated their profession was, and to distance themselves from the unscrupulous operators.
In 1943, Mr Masters offers a billiard table for sale. Later he sought staff for a photography business, so perhaps he was changing career.
1944 – (at least) 1975 M & L Jacobs (Glasgow)
Nothing traced.
19690 – (at least) 1980 Scottish National Institute for Blinded After-Care DepartmentThis organisation was established in 1915 to support servicemen blinded in the First World War. A year later, Scottish War Blinded established Newington House in Blackett Avenue, Edinburgh as the charity’s permanent residence.In 1970, a cheque for £700, raised by a sponsored horse-ride through the Pentland Hills, was delivered by David Cowan, a stockbroker, on horseback to the Albany Street office (photo).