Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jameson, Robert William

1398684Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 29 — Jameson, Robert William1892no contributor recorded

JAMESON, ROBERT WILLIAM (1805–1868), journalist and author, born at Leith in 1805, was youngest son of Thomas Jameson, merchant, and nephew of Robert Jameson [q. v.] He was educated at the high school and university of Edinburgh, became a writer to the signet, and practised for many years in Edinburgh. Jameson was a strong radical, and prominent in the reform, anti-slavery, and anti-cornlaw movements. Sir John Campbell, afterwards lord chancellor, said that he was the best hustings speaker he ever heard. He was also one of the first members of the reformed town council of Edinburgh. In 1855 he went to live at Stranraer as editor of the Wigtownshire ‘Free Press,’ and remained there till 1861, when he removed to England, residing first at Sudbury and afterwards in London. He died at 12 Earl's Court Terrace, Kensington, on 10 Dec. 1868. He married in 1835 Christina, third daughter of Major-general Pringle of Symington, Midlothian, and by her had eleven children, of whom eight survived him. Jameson published: 1. ‘Nimrod,’ a poem in blank verse, Edinburgh, 1848, 8vo. 2. ‘The Curse of Gold,’ a novel, London, 1854, 8vo. He was also the author of a tragedy, ‘Timoleon,’ which was acted in Edinburgh at the Theatre Royal, and published; it reached a second edition in 1852.

[Register of Biography, 1868.]