James Reid Rust

He was born on 28 April 1872 the son of George Rust (1835-1891) and his wife Margaret Philip in 1881 he was living in the parish of the Kirk of St Nicholas in central Aberdeen.[1]

In 1891 they were living 16 Craigie Street in Aberdeen.[2]

He was apprenticed to Charles McDonald, granite merchant and owner of Froghall Granite Works at Gerrard Street[3] and Rust later rose to be Director of that company. Around 1900 he set up his own granite company: "Rust & Alexander" also known as the "Caledonian Granite Works" at Holland Street in Aberdeen. He was then living at 9 Mount street in Aberdeen.[4] Rust & alexander also dealt in sculpted granite, supplying to all of Scotland.[5]

In 1921 his former firm of the Froghall Granite Works was amalgamated and absorbed into the Caledonian Granite Works, creating a virtual monopoly on granite in the area, especially for building purposes.[3]

He was elected Lord Provost in 1929 and served until 1932 when he was succeeded by Sir Henry Alexander.[6]

In 1933 he was elected Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeen.

He died at home, 17 Hamilton Place in Aberdeen, on 12 August 1945 and is buried in Springbank Cemetery, Aberdeen.[7]

He was married to Grace Elizabeth Gorrod (1872-1963). They had two daughters and a son.

He was portrayed by Herbert James Gunn.[6]