James Montgomery (priest)

James Francis Montgomery FRSE (10 July 1818 – 21 September 1897[1]) was trained as an Anglican priest and served as Dean in St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh.[2] He is usually referred to as Dean Montgomery. He was an early photographic pioneer and was one of the youngest members of the Edinburgh Calotype Club, one of the world's first photographic societies.[2]

For the American Episcopalian priest born 1866, see James Alan Montgomery.

Effigy of Dean Montgomery in St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh
Atholl Crescent in Edinburgh
Dean Montgomery's grave, Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh

Life

He was born on 10 July 1818, the son of Elizabeth Mason and Robert Montgomery, Lord Treasurers Remembrancer (younger son of Sir James William Montgomery).[3] He would have spent much time in his early life at the family home of Stobo Castle.

He originally studied law and was admitted to the Scottish bar as an advocate in 1840.[4] In the 1840s he is listed as an operational Edinburgh advocate working from 17 Atholl Crescent in the West End, living together with Robert Montgomery.[5]

In the mid-1850s, he had a change of direction and studied divinity at Durham University, graduating with a BA in 1858 before being ordained, and serving as a curate at Puddletown.[6] In 1858 he returned to Edinburgh to serve at St Paul's. He transferred to St Marys Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh as a junior incumbent in 1864. He was appointed Dean of Edinburgh in 1873; and Provost of that St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh in 1879.[7]

In 1868, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh for his early photographic experiments, his proposer being Philip Kelland.[8]

He lived close to the cathedral at 17 Atholl Crescent, a large townhouse in Edinburgh's West End.[9]

He died at home on 21 September 1897 and is buried in the northern Victorian extension of Dean Cemetery. The grave lies in the south-west section facing onto the southern path.

Memorials

A fine recumbent effigy of Montgomery exists on the north side of the choir stalls, sculpted by James Pittendrigh Macgillivray five years after his death (1902).

Family

He married the Hon. Elizabeth Mary Elphinstone (1834-1902) on 17 January 1860. A brass plaque to her memory lies in the north aisle of St Marys Episcopal Cathedral. They had no surviving children.

Publications
  • Words from the Cross (1864)
  • My Walk with God (1883)
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References
  1. Deaths The Times, Wednesday, 22 September 1897; pg. 7; Issue 35315; col A
  2. "Pencils of Light". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  3. "Very Reverend James Francis Montgomery". thepeerage.com. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  4. Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0 902 198 84 X.
  5. Edinburgh Post Office directory 1845
  6. "The Clergy List, Clerical Guide and Ecclesiastical Directory" London: Hamilton & Co 1889
  7. "Scottish Episcopal Clergy, 1689-2000" Bertie, D. M.: Edinburgh: T & T Clark ISBN 0567087468
  8. Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0 902 198 84 X.
  9. Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1895-96
Religious titles
Preceded by
Edward Bannerman Ramsey		 Dean of Edinburgh
1873 – 1897		 Succeeded by
John Skinner Wilson
Preceded by
Inaugural appointment		 Provost of St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh
1879 – 1897
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