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James Watts

1804 – 1878

British industrialist and Mayor of Manchester

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About James Watts

Lived 1804 – 1878 (aged 74). James Watts was a politician.

Sir James Watts (6 March 1804 – 7 April 1878) was Mayor of Manchester (1855–1857), High Sheriff of Lancashire and owner of Abney Hall. He was the owner of S & J Watts Limited, who built the Watts Warehouse on Portland Street.

Watts was born March 1804, and baptised on 15 April 1804 at St Thomas Ardwick. He started his life as a weaver in Didsbury. He became partners with his brothers Samuel and John and became an important figure among British industrialists, socialising with politicians and churchmen at his home, Abney Hall, in Cheadle. He was elected a councillor for St James's Ward, became mayor in 1855, was re-elected in 1856, and at the same time an alderman. After Prince Albert chose to stay with him when he visited Manchester to open the Art Treasures Exhibition in 1857, the queen awarded him a knighthood.

Watts married Margaret Ann Buckley. They had one son, James Watts. Watts' descendants include Conservative party politician James Watts, air commandant Dame Felicity Peake and her son, Andrew, and Paula Vennells.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Mayor of Manchester, High Sheriff of Lancashire
Awards
Knight Bachelor
Also known as
Sir James Watts

People in James Watts's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped James Watts's

Frequently asked questions

Who was James Watts?

British industrialist and Mayor of Manchester (1804–1878)

When was James Watts born?

James Watts was born on 6 March 1804.

When did James Watts die?

James Watts died on 7 April 1878.

What was James Watts's occupation?

James Watts was a politician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: James Watts

· Wikidata: Q6145227

· DBpedia: James Watts (mayor)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Watts. https://biography.guide/james-watts/

MLA: "James Watts." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-watts/.

Chicago: "James Watts." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-watts/.

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