James Stewart was born around 1860 in Lanarkshire. His father, John, was a Commission Agent/Merchant. James studied at the University of Glasgow from 1878-1884 . He first registered in the Arts Faculty in 1878-1879 and studied Mathematics and Latin. After a year out, he returned to study Logic and Chemistry in 1880-1881, this time being registered to the Medical Faculty. In the Summer 1881 he took Anatomy and the following winter continued with Anatomy, Botany and Zoology (Natural History). In 1882 he again took a summer Anatomy class, this time Senior Anatomy, following it in the winter with further Anatomy and Botany classes and Surgery, Clinical Surgery and Institutes of Medicine. During Summer 1883 he took Practical Physiology and Practical Pharmacy and in his final year at the University he took Practice of Medicine. No record can be found of a University of Glasgow graduation. He was nevertheless a distinguished student, winning a University first class certificate of merit and medal for a Herbarium of Flowering Plants and Ferns in 1882. The medal won by Stewart is in the custody of the Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow .
From the guide to the Papers of James Stewart, fl 1880s, arts and medical Student, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1873-1884, (Glasgow University Archives Service)
