James Smith of Jordanhill facts for kids
James Smith (1782–1867) was a very clever and active Scottish man. He was good at many things! He worked as a merchant (someone who buys and sells goods), studied old things (an antiquarian), designed buildings (an architect), and explored rocks and the Earth (a geologist). He was also a writer and a deep thinker.
James Smith was an expert on how ancient ships were built and how they sailed. He wrote important books like "Newer Pliocene" (about geology) and "Voyage and Shipwreck of St Paul" (about a famous sea journey). He was also a skilled sailor and owned a yacht called "Wave".
Life of James Smith
James Smith was born on 15 August 1782. His home was Jordanhill House, which was near Glasgow, Scotland. His father, Archibald Smith, was a merchant who traded with the West Indies. His mother was Isobel Ewing.
When he was 18, in 1800, James was a Captain in the Renfrewshire militia. This was a local army group.
James went to Glasgow Grammar School and then studied science at Glasgow University. He really liked studying geology, which is the science of Earth's physical structure and substances.
In 1809, he became a partner in his father's business, Leitch & Smith. He later became the president of the Andersonian University in Glasgow.
James was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1822. This is a group for very smart people who do important research. He also served as a leader for this society from 1836 to 1839.
He was also the president of the Geological Society of Glasgow from 1864 to 1867. He led the Archaeological Society of Glasgow too. James was a member of several other important groups, including the Wernerian Society and the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. He even helped start the Glasgow Yacht Club because he loved sailing so much!
In 1830, he was also chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. This is another very important scientific group. He was also a Fellow of the Geological Society of London.
James Smith passed away on 17 January 1867 at his home, Jordanhill House.
James Smith's Family
On 25 August 1809, James Smith married Mary Wilson. Mary's grandfather and uncle were both famous astronomers named Alexander and Patrick Wilson.
James and Mary had several children:
- Archibald Smith of Jordanhill (1813-1872)
- Christina Laura Smith, who married Walter Buchanan.
- Isabella Smith (1806-1897), who married Henry Gore-Booth.
- Mary Joanna Guthrie Smith, who passed away in 1840.
- Louisa Smith, who passed away in 1863. She married William Hamilton.
- Sabina Douglas Clavering Smith, who married Rev. Robert Paisley.
His cousin was William Euing, who was an insurance broker and helped many charities. James's younger brother, William Smith of Carbeth Guthrie, was the Lord Provost of Glasgow (like a mayor) from 1822 to 1824.
Interesting Facts
Smiths Court, a street in Glasgow, was named after James Smith's family.
Jordanhill House, James Smith's home, was bought by Glasgow Corporation in 1911. It was used as a training college. The house was taken down in 1961.
Artistic Recognition
A painting of James Smith was made by Sir John Watson Gordon. You can see this painting at the Trades House Museum in Glasgow.
