John Watson Laidlay facts for kids
John Watson Laidlay (1808–1885) was a Scottish businessman and a keen collector of old coins and languages. He was also a scholar who studied the cultures of the East.
Early Life and Work in India
John Watson Laidlay was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 27, 1808. His father was a traveling businessman. His mother's family, the Watsons, were important bankers and merchants. They owned large farms in Bengal, India, where they grew indigo. This plant was used to make blue dye.
John went to a private school in Blackheath, London. He even studied Chemistry with the famous scientist Michael Faraday. He also learned Hindustani, a language spoken in India.
In 1825, when he was about 17, John went to India. He worked for his uncles' companies there. These companies were connected to the powerful East India Company. They had factories that made silk and indigo in places like Behrampore and Rampore-Beauleah. John oversaw these factories until 1841.
In 1839, he traveled to Malaysia for his health. There, he became friends with Sir James Brooke, who later became a famous explorer.
Life in Calcutta and Return to Scotland
In 1841, John moved to Moorshedabad in Bengal. He settled down more there. In 1844, he married Ellen Johnstone Hope from Edinburgh, Scotland. They then moved to live in Calcutta, a major city in India.
John loved old languages and coins, especially those from India and the Middle East. He wrote articles about them for a local society's journal.
In 1849, John left India and returned to Britain. He lived mostly in London for a few years. In 1854, he moved back to Scotland. He settled at Seacliff House, a big property near North Berwick. This house had its own private harbor.
At Seacliff, John spent his time studying science and exploring. He even found a prehistoric cave near his home! He also bought the nearby lands of Auldhame and Scoughall.
In 1868, he became a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This was a great honor for his scientific work.
Later Life and Family
John Watson Laidlay passed away on March 8, 1885. He is buried with his wife, Ellen, in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh.
In his will, he gave his collection of seashells to the British Museum.
John and Ellen had five sons and two daughters.
- His oldest son, Andrew Laidlay, was born in Calcutta in 1845. He became a lawyer but sadly died in a fire at Seacliff House in 1907.
- His second son, William James Laidlay, was born in Calcutta in 1846. He also became a lawyer.
- Another son, John Ernest Laidlay (1860–1940), was born in North Berwick. He became a very well-known amateur golfer. His golf medals are kept at the R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews.
