LAING, Samuel (son of Robert Laing). b. Kirkwall, Orkney 4 Oct. 1780; ed. at Edinb. univ. to 1800; ensign royal staff corps 26 Sep. 1805, served in the Peninsula, sold out 1809; manager of mines at Wanlock head, Scotland 1809; organised herring fisheries in the Orkneys 1818; succeeded to Strynzia estate, Kirkwall on death of his brother Malcolm 6 Nov. 1818; provost of Kirkwall some years; engaged in the kelp trade, in which he lost his money 1834; contested Orkney and Shetland 1832; author of Journal of a residence in Norway 1834–36, 1836; A tour in Sweden 1839; Notes of a traveller on the social state of France, Russia, Switzerland, Italy 1842; The Heimskringla or chronicle of the kings of Norway, a translation 3 vols. 1844; Notes on the schism from the church of Rome 1845. d. at res. of his dau. Mrs. Elizabeth Baxter, Edinburgh 23 April 1868.
LAING, Simon (son of David Laing. b. Gretna 1750, pedlar, priest at Gretna Green 1792, d. Springfield 31 June 1827). Weaver; priest at Gretna Green 1827 and custodian of the marriage register; took into partnership Robert Elliott; performed his last marriage ceremony 1871 and was the last of the Gretna Green priests. d. Kelling near Newcastle-on-Tyne 3 May 1872. bur. Gretna ch. yard. P. O. Hutchinson’s Chronicles of Gretna Green, ii 200–14 (1844); Annual Register (1872) 31.
LAIRD, John (eld. son of William Laird of Birkenhead, shipbuilder). b. Greenock 14 June 1805; associated with his father, managing partner in firm of W. Laird & Son, style of firm changed to John Laird 1833, retired Oct. 1861; one of first to use iron for ships, built a lighter of 60 tons for use on the Irish lakes 1829, built the Lady Lansdowne steamship 1833, the John Randolph 1834 the first iron vessel seen in America, and the Nemesis for the H.E.I.Co. the first iron vessel carrying guns; built the first government iron ship the Dover mail packet 1840; chairman of Birkenhead improvement commission 1855 to Dec. 1861; M.P. Birkenhead 11 Dec. 1861 to death; built many large vessels for the government, Pacific Steam Navigation co., P. and O.S.N. co., Messageries Maritimes co. and British Colonial steam navigation co.; built the Alabama for American confederate states, launched 15 May 1862. d. 63 Hamilton sq. Birkenhead 29 Oct. 1874. Practical Mag. iii 401–8 (1874), portrait; I.L.N. xxxix 74 (1861), portrait; Graphic, x 439 (1874), portrait.
LAIRD, Macgregor (brother of the preceding). b. Greenock 1808; partner with his father; took part in formation of a co. at Liverpool to develop the river Niger, voyaged with Richard Lemon Lander in the Alburka to the junction of the Niger and the Tchadda 1832–3, returned to England 1834; F.R.G.S.; a promoter of British and North American steam navigation co. 1837, which built the Great Western which went to America and back under steam 1838; took an active part in development of Birkenhead from 1844; a merchant at 3 Mincing lane, London; started the African steamship co. 1849; fitted out a trading and exploring expedition at his own cost and risk to Central Africa 1854; built 3 steamers for annual voyages up the Niger; author of The effect of an alteration in the sugar duties on the people of England and the Negro race 1844; author with R. A. K. Oldfield of Narrative of an expedition into Africa by the river Niger in the vessels Quorra and Alburka 2 vols. 1837. d. 9 Jany. 1861.
LAKE, Edward John (son of major Edward Lake lost at sea 1829). b. Madras 19 June 1823; 2 lieut. Bengal engineers 11 June 1840, lieut. 1844; present at battle of Moodkee 20 Dec. 1845; in charge of the Kangra district in the Sutlej 1846; political officer to the Nawab of Bahawalpoor 1848, with whose troops he took part in siege of Mooltun; although but a lieut. was in charge of Davodpootra army; present at Gujerat 1849; in charge of Beas and Ravee country 1850–2; commissioner of Jalundhur Doab 1855; held fort of Kangra during the rebellion 1857; lieut.-col. R.E. 18 Feb. 1861; financial commissioner of the Punjab 1865; C.S.I. 24 May 1866; retired as major general 1 Jany. 1870; Lake scholarship founded at Lahore high sch. Jany. 1870; hon. lay sec. of Church missionary soc. 1869–76; editor of Church missionary record 1871–74; edited Church missionary atlas 5 ed. 1873; author of Sir D. McLeod, a record of forty-two years services in India 1874. d. Princes buildings, Clifton 7 June 1877. bur. Long Ashton 13 June.
LAKE, George Handy. b. June 1827; edited Musical Gazette 3 vols. 1856–8; musical critic of Sunday Times; organist of several leading London churches; an accompanist at principal concerts; excellent performer on English concertina; composer of popular ballads, Summer is sweet, and One glance from thee, and many works for pianoforte and concertina; his oratorio Daniel produced at Exeter Hall 1852 met with great success. d. London 24 Dec. 1865.
LAKE, Sir Henry Atwell (3 son of sir James Samuel Wm. Lake, 4 bart. d. 4 Nov. 1832). b. Kenilworth 15 Dec. 1810; ed. at Harrow; 2 lieut. Madras engineers 15 Dec. 1826; employed in public works department, India 1826–54; commanded engineers in defence of Kars 1855; a prisoner in Russia 1855–56; transferred to British army as lieut.-col. unattached for his services at defence of Kars 1856; aide de camp to the Queen 24 June 1856 to 1864; lieut.-col. on h.p. 12 Sep. 1856; chief comr. of Dublin police 7 Sep. 1858 to Aug. 1877; C.B. 5 Feb. 1856, K.C.B. 25 March 1875; author of Kars and our captivity in Russia 1856, 2 ed. 1856; Narrative of the defence of Kars, historical and military 1857. d. Brighton 17 Aug. 1881. Nolan’s Russian war, ii 507 (1857), portrait; I.L.N. xxix 121, 126 (1856), portrait; Graphic, xxiv 389 (1881), portrait.
LAKE, Noel Thomas. b. 22 Oct. 1799; 2 lieut. R.A. 5 July 1820, colonel 23 Feb. 1856 to 30 May 1862; M.G. 30 May 1862; C.B. 5 July 1855. d. Wellesley house, Shooter’s hill, Kent 19 May 1864.
LAKIN, John. b. 1787; took part in whole of Peninsular war with the 16 lancers; serjeant major; keeper in Windsor great park about 1826 to death; the oldest royal servant of Her Majesty. d. Queen Anne’s Gate, Windsor great park 23 Feb. 1877.
LALOR, John (son of John Lalor, merchant). b. Dublin 1814; ed. Trin. coll. Dublin, B.A. 1837; assistant poor law commissioner, Ireland to 1836; one of principal editors of Morning Chronicle, London; solicitor Dublin 1838; left R.C. ch., became a unitarian and edited The Inquirer a weekly paper; author of The Educator, a prize essay 1839; Money and morals, a book for the times 1852. d. Holly hill, Hampstead, London 3 Feb. 1856. G.M. xlv 319–20 (1856).