James White (1812–1884)

James White (1812–1884) was a Scottish lawyer, businessman and chemicals manufacturer. In 1890 he was honoured posthumously with a statue in Glasgow’s Cathedral Square, designed by John Mossman (although he died before its completion) and sculpted by Frank Leslie. It has been designated a Category 'B' listed building by Historic Scotland.

White was born in 1812 at Shawfield House in Rutherglen which at that time was a rural country estate on the banks of the River Clyde. However in 1820 his father John and his uncle James had established a chemicals enterprise (J & J White Chemicals) in the area, and in the subsequent decades the business expanded to become dominant in the industry with its facilities spread over the whole of the Shawfield district.

White was educated at Glasgow Grammar School and Glasgow University and thereafter became a lawyer and a partner in Couper & White solicitors, a position which he held for 17 years. In 1836 he married Fanny Campbell (sister of businessman Robert Orr Campbell), settling initially at Hayfield House within the Shawfield estate, and they produced seven children - six daughters and one son, John Campbell White.

At the invitation of his father and older brother (another John White, who had joined the business in 1833), James White became a partner in the family firm in 1851, focusing on the commercial aspect whilst his brother and father (who died in 1860) were more concerned with the manufacturing.

Now wealthy from the success of the chemicals business, in 1859 White purchased land near Dumbarton which was his wife’s hometown and far from the polluted atmosphere of the Shawfield works. Their grand mansion Overtoun House was built in 1862.

...
Wikipedia