James Smith

James Smith of Jordanhill FRSE FRS MWS (1782–1867) was a Scottish merchant, antiquarian, architect, geologist, biblical critic and man of letters. An authority on ancient shipbuilding and navigation, his works included "Newer Pliocene" and "Voyage and Shipwreck of St Paul" (1848).

He is remembered as a competent yachtsman. His most notable yacht was named Wave.

Life

James Smith was born on 15 August 1782 at Jordanhill House near Glasgow, the son of a West Indies merchant Archibald Smith of Jordanhill (1749–1821) and his wife, Isobel Ewing (1755–1855). In 1800 he was a captain in the Renfrewshire militia.

He died on 17 January 1867 at Jordanhill House.

Family

On 25 August 1809 Smith married Mary Wilson (granddaughter of Alexander Wilson and niece of Patrick Wilson) in 1809. Their children were:

Archibald Smith of Jordanhill (1813–1872) Christina Laura Smith, married to Walter Buchanan of Shandon, M.P. Isabella Smith (1806–1897), married to Henry Gore-Booth Mary Joanna Guthrie Smith (-1840) Louisa Smith (-1863), married to William Hamilton of Minard Castle Sabina Douglas Clavering Smith, married to Rev. Robert Paisley, DD. of St. Nininans, co Stirling

His cousin was the insurance broker and philanthropist William Euing FRSE (1788–1874). His younger brother was William Smith of Carbeth Guthrie was Lord Provost of Glasgow from 1822 to 1824. Researches in New Pliocene and Post-Tertiary Geology (1862) Dissertations on the Life and Writings of St Luke The Ships and Navigation of the Ancients

Trivia Smiths Court on Brunswick Street in Glasgow was named after the family.

Artistic recognition His portrait by Sir John Watson Gordon is held by the Trades House Museum in Glasgow.