ANDERSON, James, W.S. This learned and indefatigable antiquary was the son of the Rev. Patrick Anderson, one of the many victims whom the tyranny of the government of his country condemned in 1678 to imprisonment on the Bass Rock, for attending a conventicle. This son was born at Edinburgh in August 5, 1662, and was educated to the legal profession, in which he became Writer to the Royal Signet, a station in Scotland which may be considered as equivalent to an Attorney and Notary Public.
His character and acquirements stood so high, that just before the Union the Scottish parliament entrusted him with preparing for publication what remained of the public muniments of the kingdom; and in their last session supplied him with £1940 sterling for defraying the expenses of that great undertaking. At this work he laboured for many years with great judgment and perseverance; but it was not completed at his death in 1728. The work was published under the care of the celebrated Ruddiman; who in an excellent preface laments the death of his learned countryman, and adds, "tantumque non ad umbilicum produxerat ὁ πᾶν Jacobus Anderson." This work is the great "DIPLOMATA ET NUMISMATA SCOTIÆ," "a publication," says the sagacious but often too caustic Pinkerton, in his Enquiry, "never to be excelled in elegance, and scarcely in exactness." The labour of preparing this great national work had impaired his health and his fortune, notwithstanding the parliamentary aid; and soon after his death, the numerous plates, engraved by Sturt, were sold for £530; but these plates are now lost, and the book has become exceedingly scarce. After the union of the crowns, Anderson was appointed in 1715 Postmaster-General for Scotland, as some compensation for his valuable labours; but in the political struggles of 1717 he was ungraciously deprived of this office; and never again obtained any reward for his important services to his country. (π. 8. π.)