BRUCE, JAMES, a celebrated traveler, born at Kinnaird house, Stirlingshire, Dec. 14, 1730, was the eldest son of David Bruce, esq., of Kinnaird, and Marion Graham of Airth. Educated at Harrow, lie was sent, in the winter of 1747, to the university of Edinburgh, with the intention of studying law; but changing his views, he went to London, and having, in Feb., 1754, married the daughter of a wine-merchant's widow, became a part ner in the business. His wife dying within a year, he made a tour on the continent, and
reaching the sources of the Abawi, then considered the main stream of the Nile. This accomplishment of the chief object of his journey filled him with the greatest exultation. He remained about two years in Abyssinia, and returning by way of Sennaar and the desert of Assouan, after great hardship reached Alexandria, whence he embarked, Mar., 1773, for Marseilles. In France he spent a considerable time, visiting the celebrated count de Buffon, and other distinguished men, and in 1774, he returned to Scotland. In 1776, he married Mary, daughter of Thomas Dundas, esq.. of Fingask, by whom he had two sons and one daughter. His long-expected Travels to Discover the Sources of the Nile, in the Years 1768-73, were published in 1790, in 5 large 4to vols. with plates and charts. The work contained such curious accounts of the manners and habits of the people of Abyssinia, that it startled the belief of many, and some of them were set down as fabrications. Among other doubters were De Tott in France, and Dr. Johnson in England. Modern travelers, including Salt, Pearce, Burckhardt, Belzoni, and others, have, however, fully confirmed his statements. B. died April 27, 1794, at Kinnaird, of t fall down stairs.