James Andrew (educator) facts for kids

The Revd Dr James Andrew, painted in 1818 by John Constable.

Mrs James Andrew, painted in 1818 by John Constable.

James Andrew (born around 1774, died June 13, 1833) was an important educator. He was the head of the East India Company's Military Seminary in Addiscombe, Surrey. He held this position from 1809 to 1822. This school trained young men to become officers for the East India Company's army in India.

Andrew was born in Scotland. He studied at Marischal College in Aberdeen, where he earned his Master of Arts degree in 1792. Before working at Addiscombe, he ran his own successful military school. This school, located at Woolwich Common, helped students prepare for the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

In 1809, the East India Company bought Addiscombe Place. They turned it into their own military school. James Andrew was chosen to be the headmaster. He also taught mathematics there. In 1821, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very respected group of scientists.

Andrew's job contract allowed him to earn a lot of money from student fees. After some discussion, the payment system was changed in 1821 at his own request. He retired from his role in August 1822. He passed away in Edinburgh in 1833.

James Andrew's Writings

James Andrew was also an author. He wrote several books on different subjects. These books helped people learn about various topics.

Here are some of his published works:

• Astronomical and Nautical Tables (published in 1805): This book likely contained tables useful for navigation and studying stars.
• Institutes of Grammar and Chronological Tables (published in 1817): This work probably covered rules for language and timelines of events.
• Key to Scriptural Chronology (published in 1822): This book focused on the timing of events mentioned in religious texts.
• Hebrew Grammar and Dictionary without Points (published in 1823): This was a guide to the Hebrew language, including a dictionary. A special copy of this book, owned by Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, is kept in the British Library. It even has a letter written by Andrew himself.

Andrew's Family Life

James Andrew was baptized on December 24, 1774, in St Nicholas, Aberdeen. His parents were James Andrew and Jean Low. They had married on May 2, 1771, in Inverkeithny, Banff. Jean Low was baptized in Inverkeithny on May 9, 1746. Her parents were Gavin Low and Margaret Alexander.

James Andrew married Jane Falding. She was from Lewisham. Their wedding took place on February 21, 1809, at St Paul's Church, Shadwell. At that time, James Andrew lived in Woolwich, Kent.

In his book Astronomical and Nautical Tables, James Andrew thanked his uncle, Gavin Lowe. Gavin Lowe lived in Islington. Andrew mentioned that his uncle helped him create a table for converting time measurements. In his will from 1812, Gavin Lowe named "my dear nephew Doctor James Andrew of Addiscombe" as his executor. Gavin Lowe asked for his books and scientific tools to be sold. He then left his chronometer (a very accurate clock) to James Andrew. Gavin Lowe died in 1815 at the age of 72.