Personal data
Robert Irvine
Born 1704   Died 1772  

He is probably the Mr Robert Irvine, W.S. (Writer to the Signet) who married Mary Veitch, daughter of William Veitch of Elleock, and a sister of Lord Eliock, in January 1764. According to Boswell (BJJ, p. 69) a writer in Edinburgh and a very good plain man and more genteel than usual. According to a note in CJJ (p. 39n1), Writer to the Signet, third son of William Irving of Bonshaw.

Boswell was in the company of Irvine at Dumfries on October 6, 1762, and went with him to Kelhead. On the next day, they dined at the house of Irvine's nephew at Bonshaw.

    Unless otherwise noted, the source for a dated quotation of Boswell's is generally the corresponding volume of the Yale Trade Editions of Boswell's journals.