John Ireland Falconer

Sir John Ireland Falconer, WS (30 November 1879 – 6 April 1954) was the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Scotland from 1944 to 1947.

Early life John Ireland Falconer was born in 1879, and his wife, Jane Ireland. His mother was the great-granddaughter of Charles Spalding, improver of the diving bell. The Falconers were close relatives of the Scottish lairds Smalls of Dirnanean, Perthshire, Scotland.

Falconer received his early education at the Fortrose Academy in his home town, later attending George Watson's College in Edinburgh. He received an M.A. and LL.B from the University of Edinburgh. of Bunkers Hill, Carlisle and Croftheads, Moffat.

On the outbreak of World War I, Falconer received a commission as lieutenant in 9th Royal Scots on 1 October 1914. He was promoted to captain and adjutant on 4 March 1915, and to major on 5 July 1916. On 10 November 1944 Falconer was sworn in as Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The honour noted his "dignity, capacity, assiduity, and courtesy of manner has added not only to the lustre of the office he holds but to his own considerable record of achievement in the public service." Later in 1946 Falconer was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Law degree from the University of Edinburgh.

In 1952 Falconer was appointed chairman of the Scottish Advisory Council of the BBC.