Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Stenhouse, William

635387Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 54 — Stenhouse, William1898James Cuthbert Hadden

STENHOUSE, WILLIAM (1773?–1827), Scottish antiquary, was a native of Roxburghshire, and was born about 1773 (Laing). He became an accountant in Edinburgh. He published ‘Tables of Simple Interest and of Commission Brokerage or Exchange’ (Edinburgh, 1806). He died in Edinburgh on 10 Nov. 1827, and was buried in St. Cuthbert's churchyard.

Stenhouse was an antiquary with strong musical leanings. He is best known by his notes in the 1839 (Edinburgh) reprint of Johnson's ‘Musical Museum,’ which he edited. These notes, valuable yet inaccurate in many particulars, have been extensively quoted by biographers of the poet Burns and by editors of Scottish songs. They were reprinted, with additions, in David Laing's edition of the ‘Museum’ (Edinburgh, 1853).

[Laing's edition of the Museum as above; Scott Douglas's Burns, i. 255, ii. 135; Rogers's Book of Robert Burns i. 347–8; Baptie's Musical Scotland.]

J. C. H.