James Lumsden (Lord Provost)

James Lumsden DL (1818–1879) was a Scottish stationer and merchant who served as Lord Provost of Glasgow from 1866 to 1869. He was known as the Knight of Arden.

James Lumsden senior (1778-1856)

James Lumsden senior

James Lumsden the elder was born on 13 November 1778 in Glasgow the son of James Lumsden, an engraver and publisher, and his wife, Jean Adamson.[1] The publishing firm was founded in 1783 and specialised in children's books.[2]

James' father retired in 1810 and he then took over the publishing firm.

In 1812 he was one of the several people including Henry Bell and Sir Walter Scott on the maiden voyage of the Comet.[3]

He created the business James Lumsden & Son based at 20 Queen Street in Glasgow.[4] In 1840 he was living at 208 St Vincent Street.

In 1838 he was one of the founders of the Clydesdale Bank.[3]

He was Lord Provost of Glasgow from 1843 to 1846.

He retired in 1852 and died on 16 May 1856. He was buried in the churchyard of Glasgow Cathedral.

A statue to his memory designed by John Mossman stands in front of Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Sir James Lumsden (1808-1879)

Sir James Lumsden

James Lumsden's eldest son, also James Lumsden, was born at 60 Queen Street in 1808.[5] His mother was Margaret Gourlay. He had one younger brother known as George Lumsden of Drumsheugh Gardens. He was educated at Glasgow Grammar School. James matriculated at Glasgow University in 1821 but did not graduate.[6]

He joined the family business of James Lumsden & Son and was made a full partner in 1834.

By 1840 he had his own house at 121 Bath Street.[4]

He was Chairman of the Clydesdale Bank from 1851 until his death.[7] He was also Chairman of the Glasgow and South West Railway Cpmpany and the Clyde Navigation Trust. He was the final Chairman of the Clyde Shipping Company before it was sold in 1857.[6]

A Liberal politician, he joined the Glasgow town council in 1860, serving as Lord Provost from 1866 to 1869. He was knighted in 1868 in a ceremony linked to the laying of the foundation of the new university buildings at Gilmorehill. His title Sir James Lumsden of Arden reflected the estate of Arden near Loch Lomond which he had purchased in 1867.[8]

In later life he lived at 124 Bath Street.[9]

He died in Glasgow on 22 March 1879.

Family

His wife, Lady Lumsden, died in 1878. They had three daughters and a son.

His son, James Lumsden of Arden, was born in 1851.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.clanmacfarlanegenealogy.info/genealogy/TNGWebsite/getperson.php?personID=I40479&tree=UL
  2. ↑ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: James Lumsden
  3. 1 2 http://www.scottish-places.info/people/famousfirst1207.html
  4. 1 2 Glasgow Post Office Directory 1840
  5. ↑ Glasgow Post Office Directory 1818
  6. 1 2 http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/biography/?id=WH24158&type=P
  7. ↑ http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSA00054
  8. ↑ http://www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/100_Glasgow_Men/Lumsden_Sir_James.htm
  9. ↑ Glasgow Post Office Directory 1875
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