WATT, JAMES, a British inventor; born in Greenock, Scotland, Jan. 19, 1736. His father was a merchant and magis trate of Greenock, and James received a good education in its public schools. Having determined to adopt the trade of mathematical instrument maker, he went to London (1754) to learn the art, but ill-health compelled him to return after only a year's apprenticeship. Shortly after his return he endeavored to establish himself in Glasgow. The corporation objecting, he was appointed in 1757 mathematical instrument maker to the university, and resided within its walls till 1763, when he removed into the town. From this time till 1774 he acted as a civil engineer—made several sur veys for canals and harbors, and some of his plans were afterward carried into execution. It was during this period that he conceived and gave shape to his im provements on the steam engine, which have rendered James Watt's name fa mous. To give his inventions practical
form he associated himself in the year 1774 with Matthew Boulton, the firm of Boulton & Watt having their works at Soho, Birmingham. He retired from business in 1800.
Watt was a fellow of the Royal So cieties of London and Edinburgh, and member of the National Institute of France. He was twice married, and was survived by one son, who carried on the establishment at Soho in partnership with a son of Mr. Boulton. Besides im proving the steam engine, Watt in vented or improved a variety of me chanical appliances, including a letter copying press. He was a man of high mental powers generally, and possessed a wide and varied knowledge of litera ture and science. He died in Heathfield, Staffordshire, Aug. 25, 1819.