McManus 168

James Glass was born in Edinburgh in 1828,^[1] the son of John Glass, a printer, and Elizabeth Craig.^[1]

As a young man, he arrived in Dundee to take up a teaching position at the Public Seminaries.^[8] His younger sister, Elizabeth also lodged with him in Dundee until her marriage to a schoolmaster in 1861.^[9]

For over 30 years, James Glass daily made the short walk from the west end of the Nethergate to his place of work at the High School. It would appear that he led a very quiet life – almost unremarkable, except for the memories of his pupils. He was described as ‘a character who seemed to be remote from colleagues and pupils, but who, nevertheless, was well liked.’^[10] This statement was confirmed when an ‘old boy’ who met his former teacher remarked:

‘Who does not recall the rapidity with which he used to skip down the tables and the promptitude of his discovery of blots or careless calligraphy?’^[11]

He went on to say:

‘I am sure that there are many former pupils who would gladly go to school again, for a day or two, if ‘Glassie’ would promise to come skipping and whistling down the tables, aye, even although some of us could count upon a rap from a black ruler!’^[11]

Allegedly, his penmanship was very beautiful and formed the model which High School scholars tried hard to copy.^[12]

James Glass was appointed a Director of the school in 1883^[13] and remained there until his retirement in 1889.^[14] Both he, and his colleague George Dott, tendered their resignations in June of 1889,^[15] Glass having served 39 years at the establishment.^[15]

On his retirement, James Glass returned to Edinburgh. His death in 1914 showed the value of his personal estate amounted to £91,657.^[16] It would almost appear, for a man who presented as being ‘remote,’ that his teaching career offered amusement, while his real interest lay in the dabbling of stock and shares, of which he had countless^[16] – the practical usage of his book-keeping skills perhaps.