Richard Alexander Oswald
Richard Alexander Oswald was a Scottish Whig Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1832 to 1835.
Early life
Oswald was the son of George Oswald, a merchant of Scotstoun, Rector of Glasgow University, and Margaret Smythe, daughter of David Smythe of Methven. He was also the grand nephew of Richard Oswald of Auchincruive. Among his siblings were Maj. David Oswald of the 38th Regiment, Capt. James Oswald of the Royal Navy, Alexander Oswald, Catherine Oswald, Margaret Oswald, and Mary Ramsay.Career
At the 1832 general election Oswald was elected as the Member of Parliament for Ayrshire. He held the seat until 1835.Personal life
Oswald married twice. On 23 April 1793 in Edinburgh Parish, he married Louisa "Lucy" Johnstone. The poet Robert Burns composed his verses, "O wat ye wha's in yon town?" to her. Before death of consumption at Lisbon in 1797, they were the parents of:- Richard Oswald, who married Lady Mary Kennedy, a daughter of Archibald Kennedy, 1st Marquess of Ailsa and Margaret Erskine of Dun.
- Margaret Hester Oswald, whom married Thomas Spencer Lindsey of Hollymount, County Mayo, in 1818.
Oswald died on 19 June 1841, at the age of 70. As his son Richard predeceased him, the family estates passed to a cousin, James Oswald, in 1841. Margaret, who was described in an obituary as "the only daughter of the late Richard Alexander Oswald, Esq. of Auchencruive," Oswald's will shows that a beneficiary was a granddaughter Margaret Nina Lindsey.