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SIR JAMES BRUNLEES (1816-1892)
Civil Engineer, born in Kelso Roxburghshire.
Notable Achievement: Much of his work was concerned with the construction
of railways in Britain and South America. He also built the rack
railway over the Mont Cenis pass in the Alps, which operated, from
1868-1871 when the Mont Cenis Tunnel was opened. He designed the
first Avonmouth Dock and the Whitehaven Dock works as well as piers
at Southend and other seaside resorts.
SIR WILLIAM FAIRBAIRN (1789-1874)
Born in Kelso, son of a farmer. Became an apprentice wheelwright
in South Shields, befriending the young George Stephenson. Set up
business in Manchester, making machinery for cotton mills and in
1830 took a lead in making iron boats by opening a shipyard at London.
Notable Achievement: Engineer. In Stephenson's bridge over the Menai
Straits in Wales. He invented the rectangular tube that was ultimately
adopted and he erected a thousand bridges upon this principle. Became
Fellow of Royal Society and President of the British Association.
Knighted in 1869.
Plaque: In Kelso situated on the wall of his birthplace,
Duncan House
Plaque situated in Roxburgh Street
ENRY FRANCIS LYTE (1793-1847)
Born in Ednam, near Kelso.
Notable Achievement: A prolific hymnist whose works include "Abide
with Me" and "Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven".
Plaque: On Ednam Bridge
WILL OGILVIE (1869 - 1963
Born near Kelso, lived at Ashkirk near Hawick.
Notable Achievement: Poet.
Monument: A cairn was erected to his memory on the hill road between
Ashkirk and Roberton.
SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832)
Born in Edinburgh of Borders descent from the Scott's of Harden
and family connections with Smailholm and Kelso; He was appointed
Sheriff Depute of Selkirkshire in 1799, a position which he held
until his death in 1832. During these years his full creative genius
as a poet and novelist developed. He built and lived at Abbotsford
House - 2 miles from Galashiels. He is buried within the precincts
of Dryburgh Abbey near St Boswells.
Notable Achievement: Novelist and poet.
Monument/Plaque: Many examples across the Borders - bust and plaque
near the Volunteer Hall, St John Street - also statue outside Clovenfords
Hotel, 3 miles west of Galashiels, - and statue in Selkirk Market
Square. Other places associated with his life also include Melrose
Abbey, Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom in Selkirk, Scotts View, Innerleithen
and Tibbie Shiels.
JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748)
Born at Ednam, nr Kelso, moved to Southdean as a child, attended
Jedburgh Grammar School and studied divinity at Edinburgh University.
Died at Richmond, Surrey.
Notable Achievement: Poet of great merit. Wrote the words of "Rule
Britannia" (set to music by Thomas Arne) and "The Seasons"
(used by Hadyn as the text for his oratorio)
Monument/Plaque: A monument on Ferny Hill, just outside Ednam. The
Temple of the Muses in Dryburgh, nr St Boswells was erected by the
11th Earl of Buchan and dedicated to James Thomson. The temple used
to hold a fine statue of Apollo, copied from the Apollo di Belvidere
at Florence and on the pedestal were the nine muses. A bust of Thomson
is on top of the temple. Poet Robert Burns wrote a poem "Address
to the Shade of Thomson" for the opening of the temple.
Ragged School
Maybe not a person but until I get the research done
I have put this here. I will hopefully make a seperate page to the
Ragged School. If you have any information on this please E-Mail
the Webmaster
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