Sir James Shaw, 1st Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir James Shaw, 1st Baronet (26 August 1764 – 22 October 1843), became Lord Mayor of London
in 1805. From humble beginnings in a farming family in Ayrshire
he became a successful merchant and politician; he was a relation of Robert Burns
and used his wealth to support Burns's orphaned children. As Lord Mayor of London, he led the funeral procession of Lord Nelson in 1806, having established his right to do so
and was created baronet
twice, in 1809 and 1813. While later Chamberlain of London
, he almost lost his own fortune due to injudicious investments, and died, exonerated, in 1843.
, Kilmarnock
, Scotland, the son of a "respectable farmer", John Shaw, whose family had farmed the area of Mosshead for over 300 years, and Hellen Sellars. On the death of his father, the family moved to Kilmarnock, and Shaw studied at the local grammar school
.
At the age of 17, he followed his elder brother to America to seek work, returning after three years to take up a position in the same company's London offices and becoming a junior partner in the firm. He became a wealthy merchant and financially assisted the children of Robert Burns
after Burns's death in 1796. He was elected alderman
for Portsoken
in 1798 and became Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1803.
by the Scriveners' Company
, and became only the second member of that guild
to achieve that honour.
Having taken office in 1805, Shaw determined to re-establish the tradition whereby the Lord Mayor took precedence in public processions within the City of London
over all except the reigning monarch, and took the opportunity of the funeral of Lord Nelson in 1806 to do so. According to one account, Shaw discussed the matter with the Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool
, who was aware that the Prince Regent
would be attending the funeral, but did not seem willing to take action. Shaw then offered to visit the King himself at Windsor Castle
to resolve the matter, and Liverpool said that he would see what could be done. By the following day, the Royal Warrant of Precedence
had been granted, and Shaw duly led the procession.
to include a future interest
for his nephew. As such, he was appointed a Member of Parliament
for London until 1818, but thereafter sat as an alderman
until he resigned in May 1843. In 1831 he was also appointed Chamberlain of London
, and was almost ruined as he inadvertently invested £40,000, then a huge sum, of city funds in fake Exchequer bill
s. On discovering his error, he began to liquidate all his property to repay the sum, but was cleared by a commission of enquiry. Shaw resigned all his positions in 1843 due to long-term illness and died some six months later on 22 October. Shaw was unmarried, and normally his baronetcy would have become extinct on his death, but because of the second patent, the title passed to his nephew, John Shaw.
Shaw was also President of St Bartholomew's Hospital
from 1806 to 1831 and President of the Honourable Artillery Company
from 1829 to 1843.
town centre by a statue of Carrara marble, about 17 feet tall, on a base of Aberdeen granite, executed by sculptor James Fillans (1808–52). The cost was defrayed by public subscription, which raised almost £1000. It was unveiled on 4 August 1848 and was originally located at the Kilmarnock Cross
. On 28 March 1929 the statue was moved to the area of the The Dick Institute
just off London Road
because of the increase in traffic around the centre of the town.
It was described as
His portrait (pictured above) is also shown in the Guildhall, London
.
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
in 1805. From humble beginnings in a farming family in Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
he became a successful merchant and politician; he was a relation of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
and used his wealth to support Burns's orphaned children. As Lord Mayor of London, he led the funeral procession of Lord Nelson in 1806, having established his right to do so
Royal Warrant of Precedence
A Royal Warrant of Precedence is a warrant issued by the Monarch of the United Kingdom to determine precedence amongst individuals or organisations....
and was created baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
twice, in 1809 and 1813. While later Chamberlain of London
Chamberlain of London
The Chamberlain of London is an ancient office, responsible for collection and distribution of revenues within the City of London. Nominally appointed by The Crown, the office-holder's term traditionally begins on Midsummer Day and cannot be removed "unless some great cause of complaint appear...
, he almost lost his own fortune due to injudicious investments, and died, exonerated, in 1843.
Early life and career
Shaw was born on 26 August 1764, in RiccartonRiccarton
The place-name of Riccarton may refer to:* in New Zealand** Riccarton, New Zealand, a suburb of Christchurch*** Riccarton , the electorate named after it*** The location of Riccarton Race Course...
, Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
, Scotland, the son of a "respectable farmer", John Shaw, whose family had farmed the area of Mosshead for over 300 years, and Hellen Sellars. On the death of his father, the family moved to Kilmarnock, and Shaw studied at the local grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
.
At the age of 17, he followed his elder brother to America to seek work, returning after three years to take up a position in the same company's London offices and becoming a junior partner in the firm. He became a wealthy merchant and financially assisted the children of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
after Burns's death in 1796. He was elected alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
for Portsoken
Portsoken
Portsoken is a historical district in the City of London, located outside the former London Wall, on the eastern part of the City, near Aldgate. It is one of the 25 wards of the City....
in 1798 and became Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1803.
Lord Mayor of London
Shaw had developed a reputation as a "gentleman and a citizen" and was sponsored for the office of Lord Mayor of LondonLord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
by the Scriveners' Company
Worshipful Company of Scriveners
The Worshipful Company of Scriveners of the City of London is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It is also known as the Mysterie of Writers of the Court Letter. The Company had been responsible for setting qualifications and regulations for scrivener notaries since its foundation...
, and became only the second member of that guild
Guild
A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade. The earliest types of guild were formed as confraternities of workers. They were organized in a manner something between a trade union, a cartel, and a secret society...
to achieve that honour.
Having taken office in 1805, Shaw determined to re-establish the tradition whereby the Lord Mayor took precedence in public processions within the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
over all except the reigning monarch, and took the opportunity of the funeral of Lord Nelson in 1806 to do so. According to one account, Shaw discussed the matter with the Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool
Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool KG PC was a British politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since the Union with Ireland in 1801. He was 42 years old when he became premier in 1812 which made him younger than all of his successors to date...
, who was aware that the Prince Regent
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
would be attending the funeral, but did not seem willing to take action. Shaw then offered to visit the King himself at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
to resolve the matter, and Liverpool said that he would see what could be done. By the following day, the Royal Warrant of Precedence
Royal Warrant of Precedence
A Royal Warrant of Precedence is a warrant issued by the Monarch of the United Kingdom to determine precedence amongst individuals or organisations....
had been granted, and Shaw duly led the procession.
Baronetcy and later career
Shaw was created Baronet, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Ayr by George III in 1809, and re-created in 1813 by a second patentLetters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
to include a future interest
Remainder (law)
A remainder in property law is a future interest given to a person that is capable of becoming possessory upon the natural end of a prior estate created by the same instrument...
for his nephew. As such, he was appointed a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for London until 1818, but thereafter sat as an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
until he resigned in May 1843. In 1831 he was also appointed Chamberlain of London
Chamberlain of London
The Chamberlain of London is an ancient office, responsible for collection and distribution of revenues within the City of London. Nominally appointed by The Crown, the office-holder's term traditionally begins on Midsummer Day and cannot be removed "unless some great cause of complaint appear...
, and was almost ruined as he inadvertently invested £40,000, then a huge sum, of city funds in fake Exchequer bill
Government bond
A government bond is a bond issued by a national government denominated in the country's own currency. Bonds are debt investments whereby an investor loans a certain amount of money, for a certain amount of time, with a certain interest rate, to a company or country...
s. On discovering his error, he began to liquidate all his property to repay the sum, but was cleared by a commission of enquiry. Shaw resigned all his positions in 1843 due to long-term illness and died some six months later on 22 October. Shaw was unmarried, and normally his baronetcy would have become extinct on his death, but because of the second patent, the title passed to his nephew, John Shaw.
Shaw was also President of St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
from 1806 to 1831 and President of the Honourable Artillery Company
Honourable Artillery Company
The Honourable Artillery Company was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII. Today it is a Registered Charity whose purpose is to attend to the “better defence of the realm"...
from 1829 to 1843.
Legacy
Shaw is commemorated in KilmarnockKilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
town centre by a statue of Carrara marble, about 17 feet tall, on a base of Aberdeen granite, executed by sculptor James Fillans (1808–52). The cost was defrayed by public subscription, which raised almost £1000. It was unveiled on 4 August 1848 and was originally located at the Kilmarnock Cross
Kilmarnock Cross
In Rambles Around Kilmarnock Archibald R Adamson wrote "Kilmarnock Cross is most spacious, although of a most peculiar form, having no less than seven streets branching off it. In the centre stands a marble statue of Sir James Shaw, who rose from a humble position to that of Lord Mayor of London"...
. On 28 March 1929 the statue was moved to the area of the The Dick Institute
The Dick Institute
- History of the building :The funds which were required to build the Dick Institute were provided by James Dick, a former Kilmarnock man who was living in Australia. James Dick was born 1823 in Soulis Street Kilmarnock...
just off London Road
London Road
-England:There are countless London Roads in the UK. Only those significant outside their local area are listed here:* London Road, Brighton; for which a railway station is named* London Road, Guildford; for which a railway station is named...
because of the increase in traffic around the centre of the town.
It was described as
His portrait (pictured above) is also shown in the Guildhall, London
Guildhall, London
The Guildhall is a building in the City of London, off Gresham and Basinghall streets, in the wards of Bassishaw and Cheap. It has been used as a town hall for several hundred years, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London and its Corporation...
.