James Gillespie (philanthropist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Gillespie
Born	(1726-04-28)28 April 1726 Roslin, Midlothian
Died	8 April 1797(1797-04-08) (aged 70)
Nationality	Kingdom of Great Britain
Occupation	Snuff and tobacco merchant

James Gillespie (1726–1797) was a rich Scottish merchant. He sold snuff and tobacco in Edinburgh during the 1700s. He never got married. When he died, he left a lot of money. He asked for a hospital and a school for poor people to be built. Today, the school is known as James Gillespie's High School. Two streets near the school, Gillespie Crescent and Gillespie Street, are named after him.

James Gillespie's Life Story

James Gillespie was born in Roslin, Midlothian. This town is south of Edinburgh. His birthday was on April 28, 1726.

He became famous and very wealthy in Edinburgh. He worked with his younger brother, John. John ran the family shop. James became one of the richest people in Edinburgh. The tobacco he sold came from America. It was grown on large farms called plantations. These plantations used enslaved people for labor.

James owned a snuff mill in Colinton. Many people worked there. It is said he treated all his workers well. In 1773, he built Spylaw House. This was a grand Georgian mansion. It was his home and was connected to his mill. Most of his staff lived in the house too.

He was known for being very careful with his money. People say he even came up with the saying "waste not, want not."

A special plaque marks where his shop used to be. It is at 231 High Street on the Royal Mile.

James died on April 8, 1797. He is buried in a large tomb. It is on the north side of the church in Colinton Churchyard. This is near his old house. His brother had died five years before him. Since neither brother had married, there were no direct family members to inherit their wealth. James left behind a large amount of money, about £12,000. This was a huge sum back then.

James Gillespie's School Legacy

Spylaw House, Edinburgh

James Gillespie left a quarter of his money for a free school. This school was for poor boys. It was founded in 1803. Boys aged six to twelve could attend. They had to show they were poor and healthy.

The school is still open today. It has grown a lot over the years. It has moved and changed owners several times. In 1923, it started letting girls attend too. Now, it includes James Gillespie's Primary School. It also has James Gillespie's High School. Both are located in Marchmont.

In 2020, people learned more about Gillespie's connection to the slave trade. A public request was made to change the school's name. People felt that Gillespie benefited from the slave trade. They believed the school's name should reflect its diverse community.

James Gillespie's Hospital Legacy

The hospital James Gillespie wanted was built. It used money from his will. It was built where an old mansion used to be. This mansion was taken down in 1800. Some people were upset about this. They thought the old building was important and beautiful.

The hospital building was later surrounded by other buildings. It was reached by Gillespie Crescent. In 1925, it became workshops for the Royal Blind Asylum. This helped people who had lost their sight in wars. The hospital building was taken down in 1975. New apartments for older people were built there instead.

The hospital was meant to help older, poor people. To get in, people had to meet certain rules. They could be someone who worked for the Gillespie brothers. They could also be someone named Gillespie, aged 55 or older. People over 55 from Edinburgh or Leith could also apply. Everyone had to be without their own money. They also had to be "decent, godly and well-behaved."

James Gillespie's Artefacts

• James Gillespie's original shop sign is kept at the Museum of Edinburgh.
• A large snuff jar from his house is at Lady Stair's House. This is also known as the Writers' Museum.

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