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He was born in Galston, April 13, 1847, and he works at 20 Octavia Cottages, Greenock. He is not a professional maker, albeit his work has not a trace of the amateur about it. Nothing can be more true to the original than his copies of Gasparo da Salo, nor more beautifully finished than his last half-a-dozen instruments. He got a few lessons in violin-making from the late John A. Mann, and being of an artistic turn of mind, he soon made progress. He can paint very fairly in oil and water-colours, and he generally draws a bust of himself with indelible ink on the back of the violin under the button. His work as an amateur violin-maker is of great merit, and will bring him considerable fame by-and-by if he perseveres with it. He won the gold medal for an exhibit of violins at the Greenock Exhibition, 1893.

Looks like violin making was more of a hobby...

What type of info were you hoping to learn about James. L Wilson?

I am looking to find out as much information about him as I can. Ideally, a few images would also be nice to have (especially from this exhibition he won medals at in 1893).

If Violin Making was a hobby then he was a very talented hobbyist indeed.

His work is beautiful!

https://www.bromptons.co/reference/photography/details/violin-by-james-wilson-scottish-1907.html

On SP in the valuations section you see James Wilson throughout the years you mentioned. He was there in 1905 and in to 1915 but not in 1920.

Here is what I would think would be his death and birth ... but there seems to be violin making missing if this was the case...

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Here is his death of what looks like James L Wilson:

WILSON
   
JAMES LENNOX
   
75
LENNOX
M
1922
564 / 1 / 459
Greenock East

His baptism  ...

WILSON
   
JAMES
   
JOHN WILSON/JANET LENNOX FR863 (FR863)
M
04/06/1847
593
40 / 273
Galston

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Is that baptism and death the same info you have for James L Wilson the violin maker?

His work is beautiful physically and sounds beautiful also. I was lucky enough to play on one of his instruments when I recently purchased a new Violin myself. It was like chocolate.

This is partly why I am now trying to find out as much about his life as I can, now I know he exists he deserves far more recognition.

Hi,

I am looking if anyone can help me find out as much as I can about the above named: James L. Wilson.

I was recently made aware of this man and that he was a Violin Maker originally from Galston but who made his instruments in Greenock (at 20 Octavia Cottages, which is in the area of East Crawford Street).

I know that he was born 13th April, 1847 and was based in Greenock at least from 1890s to 1900s. There is mention of him winning awards for an exhibit of his Violins at a Greenock Exhibition in 1893 although I do not know the specific date this occurred. He was also clearly a very active maker: based on a facsimile of his marking inside an instrument he went from his 19th instrument in 1899 to 54th in 1907.

From a search on Scotland's People, I have been able to find an 1891 census record with a James L. Wilson with the correct age, signature (comparing to the facsimile) and place of birth. Further, the area recorded (Greenock East) would also suggest this is the person I am looking for.

I have also checked Post Office Directories up to 1912 (the latest available to view) and there is a James L. Wilson consistently noted at an address of 66 East Crawfurd Street (assuming the 'u' was swapped for an 'o' at some point in time). This would suggest to me to be the person I am looking for.

Any information that can be provided would be much appreciated (knowing when he died, or how I might figure that out would be a good start).