James Stirling (1800–1876)

James Stirling (1800–1876)
Born	20 July 1800 Methven
Died	10 January 1876 Edinburgh
Nationality	Scottish
Occupation	Engineer
Engineering career
Discipline	Mechanical engineering

James Stirling (3 March 1799, Methven – 10 January 1876, Edinburgh) was a Scottish engineer, and brother of Robert Stirling. He originally specialised railway engines and later in dock gates and weirs

He was born at Cloag Farm near Methven in Perthshire the son of Patrick and Janet Stirling. He originally studied Divinity intending to be a minister in the Church of Scotland. However, inspired by his brother Robert, he instead decided to be an engineer, and was apprenticed to Claude Girdwood & Co in Glasgow as a mechanical engineer. The company specialised in making cotton gins.

He then became manager of the Dundee Foundry which built several locomotives for the Dundee and Newtyle Railway and developed the Air engine (around 1840).

James Stirling and Co was located at East Foundry/Victoria Foundry, Dundee. It is unclear whether it was a separate business from the Dundee Foundry.

In 1846 James Stirling left Dundee and set up an engineering practice in Edinburgh. He lived at 11 Hill Street in Edinburgh's First New Town. He died in Edinburgh on 10 January 1876. He is buried in the south-west spur of Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh.

Steam locomotives built by the Dundee Foundry/James Stirling & Co included:

In 1837 he was married to Susan Hunter (1800-1877), daughter of Prof James Hunter of St Andrews University.

Susan Stirling (as she was afterwards known) was a successful author, including works such as "Fanny Hervey or the Mother's Choice" (1849).

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