Talk:Sir John Lauder, 3rd Baronet

Notability

What exactly is this man's claim to notability? The only inferred notability in the articles is an uncited assertion that he was "great esteemed" (by who?), and that he was made an "Honorary Burgess" of several places. Can anyone explain the significance of an Honorary Burgess? --BrownHairedGirl (talk) • (contribs) 11:32, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

It is rare for someone of no notability whatsoever to be made an honourary burgess of so many cities. Burgesses can be hereditary and passed to sons. They can be new appointments by the City Council, but only if the individual concerned has done an apprenticeship with a burgess. Or they can be appointed a Burgess "by Act of Council" for good deeds and other considerations. Burgesses have a right to sit on council. David Lauder 13:36, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the clarification. However, per WP:BIO, we don't usually consider local councillors to be notable ("Just being an elected local official does not guarantee notability"); does this really amount to much more than that? If it was so unusual for someone to be multiply made an honorary burgess, surely there is some indication of why? It seems to me that if you are right about the rarity of the appointment, the real question is why he was considered to merit these appointments? --BrownHairedGirl (talk) • (contribs) 14:18, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

Well, it requires further research. The title is flagged as a stub. It needs building. David Lauder 14:39, 25 August 2007 (UTC)