James Anderson

Who was James Anderson?

Sir James Anderson was a British politician and manufacturer.

Born at Stirling, he was the son of the merchant John Anderson and his wife Christian Wright. Aged fifteen, he moved to Glasgow to accompany his older brother David. Working in a manufactury, he rose through the city's civic dignities. Anderson was appointed Lord Provost of Glasgow in 1848 and was created a Knight Bachelor on Queen Victoria's visit in the following year. He held this post until 1851 and entered the British House of Commons in the next year, sitting for Stirling Burghs until 1859.

He married Janet, the only daughter and heiress of Robert Hood, Bailie of Glasgow and had by her three sons and an only daughter. Anderson died, aged 63, at his mansion in Blairvadick in Dumbartonshire.