Businessman and Lord Provost of Glasgow. Born in Glasgow, the son of an engraver and publisher, Lumsden was educated at the Glasgow Grammer School. He was apprenticed to his father and went on to build James Lumsden & Sons into a successful stationery business.
In 1812, Lumsden accompanied Henry Bell of the maiden voyage of the steam-ship the Comet. Between 1822 and 1825, he sat on the Glasgow Town Council and again from 1833. In 1843, he was elected Lord Provost of the city and in this capacity visited Paris in 1845.
In 1838, Lumsden was one of the founders of the Clydesdale Bank.
Lumsden served as President of the Incorporated Company of Stationers in Glasgow on three occasions (1815, 1822 and 1830). He gave generously to the City of Glasgow Benevolent Association and served as treasurer of Glasgow Royal Infirmary for nineteen years.
He was buried in the High Churchyard and is remembered by a statue in front of the Royal Infirmary.
