James Brown was born in Dundee in 1790. Early in life he met James Watt and took a position at Soho engineering works, Birmingham. He accompanied James Watt the younger in the Caledonia steam vessel, the first steamer to ascend the Rhine as far as Coblenz, in 1817. In 1821 he acted as chief engineer of the James Watt, towing the Royal Sovereign, with his majesty George IV, into Leith harbour. As the London agent of Boulton,Watt and Co in the 1820s he secured a considerable business for the company, particularly with the post office. He played a prominent role with various steam packet companies and designed many vessels, including the first steam vessels introduced by the government for carrying mail, and also the first steam engines used by the navy. As head of the Drawing Office and London Department he schemed lines and arrangements of the first fleet of steamers between Edinburgh and London, and Gravesend and London. From 1840-61 he was a partner of Boulton, Watt and Co.
From the guide to the Business Records of James Brown, 1817 - 1863, (Heriot-Watt University Archives)
