BAIRD, JAMES (1802-1876), Scottish iron-master, was born at Kirkwood, Lanarkshire, on Dec. 5, 1802, the son of a coal master. In 1826 his father, two brothers and himself leased coal fields at Gartsherrie and in the vicinity, and in 1828 iron mines near by, and in 1830 built blast furnaces. In this year the father retired, the firm of William Baird and Co. was organized, and James Baird assumed active control. His furnaces, in 1864, were producing 300,00o tons annually and had Io,o00 employees. The brothers became great landowners, and James was M.P. for the Falkirk burghs in 1851-52 and 1852-57. He died at his estate near Ayr on June 20, 1876. He had been during his life a great public benefactor, founding schools and, in 1873, the Baird Trust of £500,000 for the Established Church of Scotland.