Having arrived at the gallery in a distressed condition, with obvious damage to the sitter’s face and a centuries’ worth of dust and grime, this restoration revealed both an impressive portrait, and an astonishing individual.
Born in 1844, a year before his father filed for bankruptcy, James Scott grew up amid poverty in Manchester, alongside his five siblings. James however, possessing a shrewd business brain and ambitious spirit, began working as a clerk for W.D Coddington and Sons, a large cotton manufacturer, working his way up to the position of partner.
With his father born in Frankfurt, James’ family name was originally ‘Schott’, however, with growing anti-German sentiment in England after the Franco-Prussian War, James changed his family name to ‘Scott’.
In 1874, James married Anne Jane Haslam, the daughter of a cotton merchant and manufacturer. They went on to have three children together. In 1880, James joined Anne’s brothers in their family business and assisted in its expansion. By 1883, the company had offices in London, Paris, Belfast and New York. In 1903, James founded what would go on to be one of Britian’s leading independent insurance firms.
Appointed Bolton’s Justice of the Peace in 1890, philanthropy and public service were central to James’ outlook. He remained a generous and compassionate advocate for the poor and sick throughout his life.
From inopportune beginnings to a rise of meteoric proportions, Sir James Scott passed away in 1913, recognized with a knighthood, and leaving a far-reaching legacy of commerce, wealth and humanitarianism.
After a process of cleaning and repairs to the torn canvas, James’ portrait can once more be proudly displayed by his relatives, in remembrance of a most extraordinary man.