Andrew Lumisden

Andrew Lumisden, Lumsden or Lumiden FRSE FSA (1720–25 December 1801) was a Scottish Jacobite. He was Personal Secretary to Bonnie Prince Charlie during his exile in Rome. He was a joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783.

Early life He was the only son of William Lumisden, a law agent in Edinburgh, and his wife, Mary Bruce, daughter of Robert Bruce, an Edinburgh merchant. He was educated at the High School in Edinburgh then studied law at the University of Edinburgh, which he followed until the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

The '45 On the recommendation of Dr Alexander Cunningham, a younger son of Sir William Cunningham of Caprington, Ayrshire, Lumisden became private secretary to Charles Edward Stuart shortly after his arrival in Edinburgh. He accompanied the prince throughout the campaign, and was present at the battle of Culloden. On the eve of the battle the prince's aide-de-camp wrote to Ewen MacPherson of Cluny, asking him to take particular care of Lumisden and Thomas Sheridan, "as they carry the sinews of war".

In 1758–9 Lumisden undertook a secret mission to France, but otherwise his duties consisted in answering requests for honours, or appeals for help from supporters of the Stuart cause. He was continued in office by Charles Edward, who made use of him very much as a factotum. Ultimately, in December 1768, he was dismissed by Charles for refusing to allow him to attend an oratorio while drunk. Not long afterwards he declined an invitation to return.

Lumisden died in Edinburgh on 25 December 1801.

Family Lumisden's sister, Isabella, was the wife of Sir Robert Strange.