EX-BAILIE ROBERT ANDERSON is a native of Glasgow, born in 1846. His forbears have been Glasgow people for several generations. He was educated at Gorbals Youths' School, and Lauriston Academy, Carlton Place. He served his apprenticeship with his uncle, the late H. L. Anderson, and began business with his brother in 1870. In business life Mr. Anderson is a painter and decorator, only surviving partner of the firm of J. & R. Anderson. In this connection he has filled the post of President of the Glasgow Master Painters' Association, and also of the National Association of Master Painters in Scotland. He entered Glasgow Town Council in 1891, as a representative of Crosshill Ward. At the redivision of the city in 1896 he transferred his services to Blythswood Ward, which he has represented continuously since that time, being unanimously re-elected for the fifth time in 1908. He became a Magistrate in 1896, and served the term of four years. Among other posts he has held are those of Convener of the Baths and Wash-houses Committee and of the Sewage Committee. Upon the subject of sewage disposal he is considered a leading authority in the Council. It fell to him as Senior Magistrate, in 1899, to propose Mr., now Sir Samuel, Chisholm, Baronet, for the Lord Provostship, and he was throughout a supporter of Sir Samuel's temperance policy. He has for six years been one of the representatives of the Town Council on the Clyde Trust, and was formerly Chairman of the Local Authority Committee. Among public institutions he has been a Director of the Samaritan Hospital for Women, and of the Charity Organisation Society. He is also a Governor of the Victoria Infirmary, and Chairman of the Victoria Baths. Mr. Anderson is now relieved of the details of his business by his two sons, and so is free to devote his time to public affairs. By birth and training he was a staunch U.P. churchman, was a Manager in Greyfriars, and has filled the office of Manager and Preses in Pollokshields East U.F. Church.
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Index of Glasgow Men (1909)