James Pringle (Provost)

James Pringle FRSE FRSGS (1822–1886) was a Scottish rope manufacturer who served as Provost of Leith 1881 until 1886.

Life
He was born in 1822 the son of William Murray Pringle of the Edinburgh Naval and Military Academy. The family lived at 23 Bread Street. James was educated at the High School in Edinburgh. He was at the school during its relocation from High School Yards to Calton Hill in 1829.

In 1840 his father was working from the Adjutant General's Office at 1 Grove Street in Edinburgh.

From 1841 he worked as a clerk at the Edinburgh Rope Company on the north side of Leith Links. He was then living at 15 Thomsons Place in Leith. By 1855 it had become Edinburgh Ropery and Sailcloth Manufactury and he had become Manager. He was by this time living at a relatively new villa, designed by Thomas Hamilton, facing over Leith Links to his place of work, from Claremont Park.

He entered Leith Town Council in 1881 and became Provost later in the same year. He was a strong advocate of the Leith Improvement Scheme. begun by his predecessor, John Henderson.

In 1885 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were Dr Thomas Williamson, Sir James Falshaw, James Grant and Sir Thomas Grainger Stewart. He was also elected Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh in the same year.

He died at home, 7 Claremont Park on Leith Links on 11 December 1886. He is buried in Warriston Cemetery against the southern wall of the main cemetery. The grave lies immediately to the right of the huge monument to David Low.

Family
He was married to Christina Lauder Hutchison (d.1890). His wife continued to live at Claremont Park until 1890.

They had two daughters, Christina, Helen and Jane (who married Edwin Hirst).

Their sons were David, Murray, James Hay and William Alexander.

Their grandson Lt James Pringle White served in the Liverpool Scottish and was killed at Hooge in the First World War.

Artistic recognition
His portrait as Provost was painted by John A. Horsburgh in 1885 and is now held by the City of Edinburgh Council.