James Simpson Fleming

Life

He was born in Forfar in 1828. He was baptised on 7 March 1828. He was educated locally then apprenticed as a lawyer. However he then decided to study at university and did further training at both Edinburgh University and St Andrews University. In March 1847 he began working at the Western Bank of Scotland in Glasgow in 1852 he left to set up his own legal ractice but returned in 1854 combing his two skills as the bank's legal adviser. By 29 he rose to be sole Manager of the bank. He investigated financial irregularities and all was not well, causing the bank to cease trading in November 1857 (a major scandal of the day). James was asked to help to liquidate the bank. At this time Fleming was living at 9 Park Street East in Glasgow.

After a period practising law he again turned to bank work, and in 1871 became Senior cashier and General Manager of the Royal Bank of Scotland. During the next ten years Fleming made major improvements to the company, bringing it to the forefront of Scottish banking. This included a critical move in 1873 to establish a base in London requiring a change in the original 1727 legal conditions upon the bank, limiting it to practice only in Scotland. In 1875 Fleming's knowledge successfully fended off a challenge by the English banks, objecting to the Scottish invasion. In 1878 Fleming also advised during the massive collapse of the City Of Glasgow Bank.

In 1876 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were George Auldjo Jamieson, Andrew Douglas Maclagan, David Stevenson and David Smith.

He retired to Edinburgh in 1892 and died at home 16 Grosvenor Crescent on 8 July 1899. He is buried with his wife in Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh. The grave lies in the northwest corner of the Victorian north extensio, against the north wall.

Other Positions of Note

Publications

Family

In 1852 he married Elizabeth Reid (1825-1894). They had five children.