James Grant, Author of Old & New Edinburgh

A small display on the life of James Grant featuring some of his artwork, and information on his military past by the One O'Clock Gun Association.

James Grant (1822-1887)
James Grant was born on the 1st August 1822 at Fullwood's Tenements, Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh. His father John was an officer in the Gordon Highlanders. James was related to Sir Walter Scott through his mother's side of the family.

When James was two, the Grants moved to a villa in Springvalley Gardens, Morningside. Following the death of his wife Mary, Lieutenant Grant decided to start a new life with his three children in Canada and applied for a commission in the Newfoundland Regiment which was stationed at St Johns.

Young James loved life at Fort Townshend. Educated by the regimental schoolmaster, in addition to writing stories, the youngster loved to draw and sketched the soldiers drilling.

When the family returned to Scotland after six years in Canada, James applied for a commission in the 62nd (Wiltshire) Regiment. Although he proved to be a hardworking and efficient officer on receiving news that his father was suffering from severe depression, Ensign Grant resigned his commission and returned to Scotland.

While working as an architect in Edinburgh, James wrote 'The Romance of War' a novel based on his father's service in the Gordon Highlanders during the Napoleonic Wars. The book quickly caught the public's imagination, the bookshop selling 100,000 copies in just over three weeks.

Now a successful author, James Grant married Christine McDonell Browne in 1855. The couple set up house in Clarence Street, Stockbridge before moving to 26 Danube Street.

The Edinburgh Volunteers
In 1860 due to fear of French invasion, Volunteer regiments were raised all over Britain. James Grant was among the first to join the 1st City of Edinburgh Rifle Volunteers. He served as a captain in the 1st Highland Company.

The Edinburgh 'Blacks' drilled in the Free Church College quadrangle on the Mound. Although his military experience proved invaluable in training his men, due to the public's demand for his books and novels, Captain Grant was forced to resign his commission.

James Grant's were not only popular in Britain but also in the USA. Yellow back editions stacked on display stands sold for two shillings a copy at W. H. Smith's railway bookstalls.

During Grant's lifetime, the British Empire was at its height. Although the author was a Scottish nationalist, like Rudyard Kipling he admired the endurance and courage of the British soldier. Crammed with historical detail, in addition to telling stories of Scotland's past, the author covered the campaigns being fought by Queen Victoria's soldiers against the Zulus, Dervishes and tribesmen on the North-West Frontier.

James Grant was consulted by the War Office on historical matters. When the county regimental system was introduced, it was decided that Scottish regiments would wear a white facing colour on the cuffs and collars of their scarlet tunics. When the author pointed out that Scatland's ancient colour was yellow the order was changed.

The public loved Old and New Edinburgh which mentions the 'One o' clock Gun' and the Nelson Monument time ball. Although James Grant was a dog lover and owned a deerhound he did not mention Greyfriars Bobby or the public drinking fountain on George IV Bridge. Issued initially in instalments when the volumes were published in 1882, 50,000 copies were sold in the USA. Eleanor Atkinson must have used Old and New Edinburgh' to provide her with details for her best selling book 'Greyfriars Bobby'.

'The History of the War in the Sudan' appeared in 1885 followed by 'The Tartans and Clans of Scotland'. The hardworking author died two years later and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London.

A stone plaque showing the Grant family villa can be seen above the stair entrance between 43 and 45 Springvalley Terrace, Morningside.

Exhibition by the staff of the Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh and the One O'Clock Gun Association.

The One o' clock Gun Association was formed in 1998 to set up an exhibition at Edinburgh Castle telling the story of the city's time service. The Association is interested in the history of Edinburgh Castle and the city.

The story of the city's time service can be seen on:
www.1oclockgun.com

The Edinburgh Room in the Central Library holds the most comprehensive collection of published material on Edinburgh past and present.

Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 10am-8pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 9am-1pm
Sunday Closed