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William Martin Whitelaw
1869 Eskdale District - 25-04-1936 Edinburgh
From the BCM 1936, page 271:
With deep regret we note the death, on April 25th, of an old and prominent leader of chess in Edinburgh, Wm. M. Whitelaw, S.S.C., who was for many years an office-bearer and a strong match player of Edinburgh CC, to which he gave fine service, and in which he was held in the highest esteem. In pre-war days, Mr Whitelaw was a regular member of the Edinburgh Club first team, and he played effectively in all the matches, and in the earlier years of the Richardson Cup-ties. He was a sound and scholarly exponent of chess, and his quiet and constant urbanity rendered him a delightful and favourite opponent, worthy also of one's "best steel." Since the war Mr Whitelaw had practically retired from team play, having much legal and official work to claim his attention, but he continued his steady and loyal support of Edinburgh Club, of which he was an ex-president, also acting as an efficient treasurer for a lengthy period. W.M. Whitelaw was a native of Eskdale district of Dumfriesshire.
From The Scotsman, Tuesday 28 April 1936:
Death of a Prominent Leith Lawyer
A well-known Leith lawyer, Mr W.M. Whitelaw, S.S.C., who specialised in shipping and commercial law, and was a prominent figure in Parliament House, has died at his residence, 4 Ettrick Road, Edinburgh. Mr Whitelaw, who was a native of Canonbie, was 66 years of age. He had been many years in business in Leith, and became a partner in the firm of Beveridge, Sutherland, & Smith, W.S., in 1911. In the affairs of the S.S.C. Society he took a very active part, and two years ago occupied the president's chair. Mr Whitelaw was chairman of the Solicitors' Discipline Committee and a member of the Rules Council. He was an elder in St. Cuthbert's Church, a manager of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and was connected with Leith Chamber of Commerce and other public bodies. A keen golfer, he was an ex-captain of the Bruntsfield Club. A number of years ago, Mr Whitelaw represented Scotland in international chess games.
Alan McGowan
Historian/Archivist, Chess Scotlandrevised 7/1/2021