James Bowman Lindsay


1799 - 1862

James Bowman Lindsay Monument, Western Cemetery, Dundee
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

James Bowman Lindsay Monument, Western Cemetery, Dundee

Born in Carmyllie, near Arbroath, Lindsay was a visionary and pioneer in the field of electricity. Although from a poor farming family, they sent him to St. Andrews University. He perfected the world's first constant electric light, beating both Edison and Swann, who are credited with inventing the light-bulb, by decades. He was also the first to demonstrate wireless telegraphy through water. He is buried in Dundee's Western Cemetery and his memorial, which was erected by public subscription, extols his work thus:

"A pioneer of electrical science; foretold the application of electricity as an illuminant, a motive power to replace steam and a substitute for coal in heating. He devised an electric telegraph (1832), suggested welding by electricity, produced a continuous electric light (1835), proposed a submarine transatlantic telegraph (1843), and accomplished wireless telegraphy through water (1853), as a philologist his attainments were extraordinary, in 1828 he began the compilation of a dictionary in fifty languages, uncompleted when he died. An accomplished scientist, a profound student and an earnest Christian."


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better