Robert McTear (b 1818) was an auctioneer and a councillor.
McTear was the son of the Reverend James McTear. He worked for Barclay & Skirving in Trongate before becoming a partner in McTear & Kempt and then sole owner of Robert McTear & Co, auctioneers and valuators. In politics he was a famous champion of Liberal causes and a supporter and a friend of the Italian revolutionary, Garibaldi. In 1848 he was the editor of Glasgow Punch, a satrical periodical that was a forerunner of The Bailie.
Away from the world of politics McTear was a treasurer of the Glasgow Musical Association. He helped acquire an organ for the City Halls and was responsible for bringing Charles Dickens to the city in the 1860s to give readings from his works.
Reference: Mitchell Library, 920.04BAI
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
auctioneers, Barclay & Skirving, City Halls, councillors, Glasgow Musical Association, Glasgow Punch, Liberal Party, McTear & Kempt, organs, Robert McTear & Co