James Grant
BiographyJames Grant (1822–1887) was a Scottish novelist, miscellaneous writer, and historian. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he was a distant relation of Sir Walter Scott. He was a prolific author, writing some 90 books including many yellow-backs. Many of his 56 novels are about important characters and events in Scottish history. In 1853 he founded the National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights and is primarily known today as an historian because of his thoroughly-researched six-volume Old And New Edinburgh, published in 1880 by Cassell.
Born at Edinburgh August 1, 1822, he was eldest son of John Grant and grandson of James Grant of Corrimony (1743–1835), advocate. From his grandfather he inherited strong Jacobite proclivities and he was connected by descent with the Veitches of Dawyck, Peeblesshire, and thus possessed a strain of border blood. His mother, who died when he was a child, belonged to the Watson family of Overmains, not unknown in the artistic annals of Scotland, and through her he was intimately related to Sir Walter Scott, the Swintons of Swinton, and other eminent families. His father, Captain John Grant of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, had served with distinction throughout the Peninsular war. After his wife’s death Captain Grant obtained a command in Newfoundland, whither he sailed in 1833, taking with him his three sons. After spending six years in American barracks Grant returned home with his father, who had resigned his command in 1839. A year later (in 1840), through the influence of Lord Hill, under whom Captain John Grant had served in Spain, Grant was gazetted to an ensigncy in the 62nd Foot and joined the provisional battalion at Chatham. He was soon appointed to command the depot but in 1843 resigned his commission and entered the office of Mr. Rhind, architect, Edinburgh.
Grant became a skilled draughtsman but other and literary tastes were showing themselves, and he now devoted himself to novel writing, speedily becoming a most prolific writer. His first novel, and in some respects his best, The Romance of War, appeared in 1845. It owed its birth to the many anecdotes of Spain and the French war which had been related to him by his father, and described the adventures of the Gordon highlanders in the Peninsula. The vivid description of battles speedily procured for it an enormous sale; but it only produced £20 for its author. In all his novels, a quick succession of incidents, much vivacity of style, and a dialogue that seldom flags are charactristics. Those dealing with Scottish history embody considerable research, are vigorous and picturesque in style, and express much sympathy with the reckless daring, loyalty, and manliness of Scotch and border heroes.
As an authority on military matters he was frequently consulted by the war office and was examined as a witness in connection with the present territorial system, and many of his suggestions, such as the present facings of the British army, were adopted. The plans for the proposed alterations in Edinburgh Castle were also submitted to him. Grant married the eldest daughter of James Browne, LL.D.. and had two sons: James, who died before his father, and Roderick, a Roman Catholic priest. He had himself embraced the Roman Catholic faith in 1875. He died May 5, 1887, in London, at the age of sixty-five. His popularity had decayed before his death. Modest and retiring, genial, intensely patriotic, and of strong religious susceptibilities, he died penniless.
Bibliography (incomplete)
The Romance of War (1845)
The Highlanders in Belgium (??)
The Adventures of an Aide-de-Camp (??)
Memoirs and Adventures of Sir W. Kirkaldy of Grange (non-fiction, 1849)
Memorials of the Castle of Edinburgh (non-fiction, 1850)
Memoirs and Adventures of Sir J. Hepburn (non-fiction, 1851)
The Yellow Frigate; or, The Three Sisters (1855)
Bothwell (??)
Jane Seton (??)
Memoirs of Montrose (non-fiction, 1858)
The Captain of the Guard (1862)
Jack Manly; His Adventures by Sea and Land (??)
The Cavaliers of Fortune, or British Heroes in Foreign Wars (non-fiction, 1873)
British Battles on Land and Sea (non-fiction, 1873)
Illustrated History of India (non-fiction, 1876)
Old and New Edinburgh (non-fiction, 1880)
The Cameronians (1881)
Recent British Battles on Land and Sea (non-fiction, 1884)
Colville of the Guards (1885)
History of the War in the Soudan (non-fiction, 1885–86)
The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland (non-fiction, 1886)
Playing with Fire (1887)
Love's Labour Won (1888)
Scottish Soldiers of Fortune (non-fiction, 1889)
Other links
Wikipedia