LIFE - OF JAMES WATT

Oct 13, 2026

Text presents an 1871 reprinted biographical record about James Watt, the improver of the steam engine. It includes a formal epitaph praising his philosophical research, his improvement of the Newcomen Steam Engine, and the broad impact of his inventions on science and mankind. The narrative then traces Watt’s family background and early life in Scotland, detailing his ancestors, education-related influences, and the roles held by his father and relatives in Greenock.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time1 h 8 min

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LIFE - OF JAMES WATT

Epitaph and reprinted sources

Watt’s family background and early life

L I F E O FJAMES WATT From Ch am bers's "Miscellany:1871 Contributed by DUNCAN J.KERR JAMES WATT I736-I8I9 8 “ OT To perpetuate a name which must endurewhile the Peaceful Arts flourish,but to showthat Mankind have learned to honour those whobest deserve their gratitude,The King,his Minis-ters,and manyof theNobles and Commoners of theRealm,raised this Monument to JAMES WATT,who,directing the force of original genius earlyexercised in philosophicresearch totheimprovementof the Steam Engine,enlarged the resources of hisCountry,increased the power of Man,and rose toaneminent place among the most illustrious followersof Science and the real benefactors of the World." 2 THIS EPITAPH was written by LoRDBROUGHAM(1778-1868),Lord ChancellorEga Ebur aar of ts i803becamea FellowofTbeRoyalSociety,a rien es - # L I F E O FJAMES WATT 8 "The Article reprinted here on the life of James Wattoriginally appeared in Cbambers's “Miscellany"publishedat London and Edinburgh in 187I....The great workdone by James Watt was the marvelous improvement ofthe Newcomen Steam Engine,on which he worked as amathematical instrument maker in the University ofGlasgow.”—DuNCAN J.KERR "Independently of his great attainments in mechanics,Mr.Watt was an extraordinary,and in many respects a wonder-ful man.Perhaps no individual in his age possessed so muchand such varied and exact information—had read so much,or remembered what he had read so accurately and well.He had infinite quickness of apprehension,a prodigiousmemory,and a certain rectifying and methodising power ofunderstanding,which extracted something precious out ofall that was presented to it.”—LoRD JEFFREY S. # L I F E○ FJAMES WATT From Chambers's "Miscellany:1871 Contributed by DuNCAN J.KERR Member of The Newcomen Society President LebigbValley Railroad Company A New comen Publication The Article reprinted here on the life of JAMES WATT originallyappeared in Chambers's “Miscellany”published at London andEdinburgh in 187I. This record of the career of James Watt gives a much broader storyof his activities and brings out his interest in many scientific fields.The wide extent of James Watt's interests throughout his life in turnbrings out his inventiveness;and he continued his interest in scientificmatters until his death,in his eighty-fourth year. The great work done by James Watt was the marvelous improve-ment of the Newcomen Steam Engine,on which he worked as a math-ematical instrument maker in the University of Glasgow. The description of James Watt's character outlined by Lord Jeffreyin the last chapter herein is an outstanding description of a great man. —DuNCAN J.KERR New YorkSeptember I938 [4] 4 # L I F 0 FJAMES WATT From Cha mbers's"Miscellany":1871 2 AMES WATT,the improver of the steam-engine,was born atGreenock in Renfrewshire,Scotland,on the Igth of JanuaryI736.He was the descendant of a family the members of which,for several generations,had exhibited no small degree of ability.Hisgreat-grandfather was the proprietor and farmer of a small estate inAberdeenshire;but taking part in the insurrection headed by Mont-rose,he was killed in one of the battles then fought,and his littleproperty was confiscated.This person's son,Thomas Watt,was butan infant at the time of his father's death.Left almost destitute bythat event,he was taken care of by relations till he grew up,when,manifesting a decided taste for mathematical science,in which he hadalready attained great proficiency,he removed to Greenock,andsettled there as a teacher of navigation,surveying,and general math-ematics.In this situation he acquired great reputation,and becameone of the most respected and influential persons in the neighbour-hood,flling for several years the office of baron-bailie,or chief magis-trate of the burgh of Crawford's Dike.He died in 1734,at the ad-vanced age of ninety-two years,and was buried in the West Church-yard of Greenock,where,in

FAQs

What is the purpose of the epitaph for James Watt included in the text?

It commemorates James Watt and credits him for directing original genius toward philosophical research, improving the steam engine, and benefiting mankind through science.

Where does the biographical article about James Watt originally come from?

The text states the article was originally published in Chambers’s “Miscellany” and provides London and Edinburgh publication details.

What early life and family information about James Watt is described?

The text traces his ancestry and explains his father’s life in Greenock, including his occupations, public roles, and the family circumstances that shaped Watt’s early context.

Oct 13, 2026

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