James Taylor


1753 - 1825

Engineer. Born the son of a mine overseer in Leadhills (South Lanarkshire) where he knew William Symington (1764 - 1831), Taylor was appointed tutor to the sons of Patrick Miller of Dalswinton, who was a banker and shareholder in the Carron Iron Works. Taylor suggested using the power of steam for inland navigation and persuaded Miller to build a paddle-steamer, with the help of Symington, which was successfully demonstrated on a loch at Dalswinton on the 14th October 1788.


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