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James McLean

James McLean was a Greenock Timber Merchant, who gave the funds to build the Watt Hall and Museum in Greenock. The McLean Museum, which is considered to be of national importance.

Life

He was born in Greenock 17th April, 1802. James was part of the family business of James Mclean and Co, Patent Sawmill, 4 CrawfordsDyke and 8 Dellingburn Street. After completing his studies he became an apprentice cabinet maker in the family business before he set up his own sawmill in Dellingburn Street in the east end of Greenock. He was innovative, and converted his sawmill from manual labour to steam machinery, which increased his production at a lower cost. This met with much opposition, to the extent that the mill was beseiged by a mob. This stressful situation was eventually overcome and he became very sucessful.

He is also listed as being a feuar. In 1841 he was living at 23 Cartsburn Street, Greenock

There is a Willian McLean aged 35, also a timber merchant listed at the same address in 1841, possibly James's brother.

In 1815 he lived in 7 Manse Lane Greenock and is listed as being a joiner, cabinet maker and ironmonger.

He was listed as living at 36 West Balckhall Street, Greenock in 1855 - 56

There is a William McLean listed as a Joiner living at 1 Duncan Street, Greenock 1855-56.

James McLean had a granddaughter called Dorothy McDonald nee McPherson who lived in Stoneleigh Road, Greenock during the 1950s.

He also had a grandson (Dorothy's brother) Murdo McPherson, who was a sports commentator, and may also have been linked to the Iona Community.

James McLean died 6th January 1877, having sold his business for £30,000, a profit of 1500% on its original purchase price.

In his retirement he became an anonymous philanthropist. In 1875 he gave a donation of £7,000 'for the completion of the Watt monument, in the construction of the Museums, Library and Lecture Hall'. He had already donated funds to build the Watt Hall and the Museum where he laid a memorial stone on 23rd September 1875 while he was still a timber merchant. This stone can be seen in the northwest wall of the museum building.