Sir James Anderson, 1st Baronet

Sir James Caleb Anderson, 1st Baronet, was an inventor.

Biography

James Anderson was the eldest son of John Anderson, the founder of Fermoy, by his second wife, Elizabeth, the only daughter of Mr. James Semple, of Waterford. He was created a baronet on 22 March 1813, of Fermoy in the County of Cork, for the great public services rendered to Ireland by his father.

Steam coaches

Anderson experimented with steam-coaching and took out various patents for his inventions. He lodged specifications in 1831 for "improvements in machinery for propelling vessels on water", in 1837 for "improvements in locomotive engines", and in 1846 for "certain improvements in obtaining motive power, and in applying it to propel carriages and vessels, and to the driving of machinery".
He worked with William Henry James of Birmingham, son of William James. Anderson was intending to back James's work, but around 1829 finding the cash proved difficult.

Death

Anderson died in London on 4 April 1861 and was buried on the eastern side of Highgate Cemetery.

Family

Anderson married in 1815 Caroline, fourth daughter of Robert Shaw, of Dublin, and half-sister of Sir Robert Shaw, 1st Baronet. They had two sons and six daughters. As he left no male issue, the baronetcy became extinct.