Henry Nisbet


Henry Nisbet of Dean was a Scottish merchant and Provost of Edinburgh.
Nisbet was a textile merchant and clothier. In 1587 he supplied the French ambassador Monsieur de Courcelles with violet crimson cloth for his attendant's clothes, mourning cloth at death of Mary, Queen of Scots, a beaver hat, silk points, and ribbon for the ambassador's shoes, and other items. He also advanced the ambassador large sums of money.
He took royal letters to Charles IX of France in April 1583 asking for tax relief for Scottish merchants. He also brought a letter to Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox.
He was Provost of Edinburgh in 1597. He had a house in Dean just outside Edinburgh, and a house on the High Street.
The National Museum of Scotland has painted ceiling fragments from ceiling of the gallery in Dean House showing the Sacrifice of Isaac, Judith, and other subjects. The paintings may date from the time of his son, William Nisbet. A carved pediment for a window was inscribed; "H. N." for Henry Nisbet with the Nisbet heraldry, and a stone panel with "I. B." and the Bellenden heraldry for his wife, Jonet Bellenden.

Family

He married Jonet Bannatyne or Bellenden. Their children included: