Fairbairn, P; Greig, J; McKean, John; Turner, J.

Scottish Widows - or the Scottish Widows Fund and Equitable Assurance Society - was established in 1815, in Edinburgh, close to today's Chambers Street. This had been the outcome of an idea put forward by a group of prominent Scotsmen in March 1812 - that of setting up a fund for the financial protection of the relatives of deceased clergyman and schoolmasters. The fund would protect 'widows, sisters and other females' from poverty, and would be achieved by insuring capital sums on lives. From the outset, the company envisaged extending its benefits to all parts of Britain. By September 1821, funds had reached £20,000, and by 1824 when Sir Walter Scott was sold a policy funds had reached £76,000. In 1845 they stood at £1,700,000. Today (in 2002) Scottish Widows is part of Lloyds TSB Group, and the Scottish Widows Group includes Scottish Widows Plc., Scottish Widows Annuities Ltd., and Scottish Widows Services Ltd., all registered at 69 Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8YF. Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society is Company Z2 incorporated by Act of Parliament.

From the guide to the Collection of Reports and Proposals relating to the Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society, 1830-1839, (Edinburgh University Library)