James Dick was born in July 1823 in Soulis Street, Kilmarnock to John Dick, Innkeeper, and Barbara Simpson. He was the 6th child and third son in the family. The Old Parish Record of his baptism states that there was "no day given". Records show a sister Mary (b. 1815) and two brothers William (b. 1817) and Robert (1820-1891). The family was poor, but when James Dick died in 1902 he left an estate of over £1,000,000, an enormous amount of money at the time.

Some time after his birth the family moved to Glasgow.

The 1851 Census show that he was living in 67 Crown Street, Gorbals, with his Sister Mary (31), Victualler, and brother Robert (29), Jeweller. James's occupation is given as "Master Shoemaker, employing 6 men and 3 boys". Also staying in the house was his niece Mary Gibson (17), whose occupation was "Servant".

By 1861 Robert and James had moved to 18 Monteith Row, in Glasgow St. James. Both brothers were now Gutta Percha Shoemakers, employing 100 men, 100 boys, and 208 girls.

Brother Robert appears in the 1871 census still staying in Glasgow St James but now employing 361 men, 3 Boys, 361 women and 135 girls. The is no sign of James - he may have been out of the country sourcing supplies.

James married Christina (Kate) MacDonald, his devoted assistant, on the 7th September 1886. At the time of the marriage he was 63 and she was 35. She travelled the world with him as he visited some of his overseas investments (including gold and silver mines).

By 1891 he was living in 41 Newark Drive with three servants. He had retired by this time and his occupation was given as "Private Means".

From humble beginnings James, and his brother Robert, became businessmen of world-wide importance. Their hugely successful business, R. and J. Dick, revolved around the production of shoes with gutta-percha soles and drive-belts for industrial machinery, using the rubber-like substance balata. For a history of the company read One Hundred Years of Guttapercha R & J. Dick Ltd. He also invested wisely in Gold Mines in Australia.

James in particular was keen to give something back, and was latterly known as a philanthropist and benefactor to a variety of good causes. For Kilmarnock, his most important gift was that he paid for the town’s new museum, art gallery and library, opened in 1901. The Dick Institute, which continues to be one of the most important cultural facilities in South-West Scotland, was named for James’ brother Robert, who had died in 1891.

James also donated Cathkin Braes to Glasgow, the Dick Wing of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and on his death his business was bequeathed to 14 of his higher-ranking employees. After she became a widow in 1902, Kate went on to marry David Mackay. Mackay had been instrumental in persuading James Dick to pay for Kilmarnock’s new museum, as he was Town Treasurer and later the Provost of Kilmarnock. He had been an active supporter of free access for all to art, literature and education, believing that exposure to the finer things in life would benefit and uplift his townsfolk. It is said that James Dick received Mackay’s letter on the same day that one of his mines had struck-it-rich, and was happy to pay.

A view of his house in Newark Drive from the other side of Maxwell Park. The enlarged image show his extensive greenhouse running the length of the garden.

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