James Dick

Born in a family of a shoemaker and town councilor in Forres, Scotland Dick built a career of a successful merchant in the West Indies and London.

Dick was educated at Rafford grammar school and then worked as a bookkeeper in his father’s firm. After his family forbade him to marry the household servant, he left home and at the age of 19 sailed for the West Indies. He found an employment in Kingston, Jamaica as a clerk in a merchant house. In partnership with his brother John, he established a business importing colonial produce into London. During the next twenty years, he managed to accumulate a considerable fortune. A very wealthy man, Dick transcribed his share of business to brother and decided to return to London.

After his brother’s death, James inherited his brother’s fortune as well. In his will James bequeathed £113,787 to encourage "learning and efficient teaching" among the parish schoolmasters of Elgin, Banff, and Aberdeen shires.