James Baird (1802, Old Monkland, Lanarkshire – 1876, Cambusdoon) was a Scottish industrialist.
He was the fourth of the eight sons (and two daughters) of Alexander Baird and Jean Moffat. Baird was active in the iron processing industry. By 1864, he had grown his blast furnaces to nearly fifty, producing 300,000 tons of iron annually, and employing 10,000 people. [1]
From 1851 to 1857, he was an elected Tory Member of Parliament (MP) for the Falkirk Burghs.[1] His brother William had had this seat just four years before.
He was also the founder of the Baird Lectureship, in vindication of Scottish orthodoxy. Baird was, while anti-union, very interested to give his workers education. He also donated £500,000 to support churches.[1]
Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). "Baird, James". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Henry Pelham-Clinton |
Member of Parliament for Falkirk Burghs 1851–1857 |
Succeeded by James Merry |