Burgh, James
| Dates | 1714-1775 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | London | ||
| Vocation | Education | ||
| Place of Birth | Madderty, Perthshire | ||
| Marriage | Hannah Hardin | ||
| Issue | |||
| Place of birth | Source | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
Son of Andrew and Margaret Robertson. Burgh attended St Andrews University but was forced to withdraw due to ill health thus ending his ministerial ambitions. He then tried his hand in the linen trade but failed. Burgh moved to London to seek a livelihood in the early 1740s. Initially found work correcting the press for William Bowyer. Burgh then left to become an assistant in the free grammar school in Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire. He then accepted an assistant’s position in 1746 at Mr Kenross’ academy in Enfield. Burgh was advised by Kenross to open own academy, lending Burgh the funds to do so at Stoke Newington in 1747. Rapid success of the academy led to its relocation to Newington Green in 1750. Burgh's literary career began in January 1746 with the publication of Britain's Remembrancer. It was the first of many significant publications. Burgh retired to Islington in 1771 and died 26 August 1775. He is buried at Bunhill Fields, London.
