James Dick

James Dick was born in 1823 in Soulis Street, Kilmarnock, and had 4 brothers and sisters. The family was poor, but when James Dick died in 1902 he left an estate of over £1,000,000, an enormous amount of money at the time. From humble beginnings James, and his brother Robert, became businessmen of world-wide importance. Their hugely successful business, R. and J. Dick, revolved around the production of drive-belts for industrial machinery, using the rubber-like substance balata.
Read more

James in particular was keen to give something back, and was latterly known as a philanthropist and benefactor to a variety of good causes. For  Kilmarnock, his most important gift was that he paid for the town's new museum, art gallery and library, opened in 1901.  The Dick Institute, which continues to be one of the most important cultural facilities in South-West Scotland, was named for James' brother Robert, who had died in 1891. James also donated Cathkin Braes to Glasgow, the Dick Wing of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and on his death his business was bequeathed to 14 of his higher-ranking employees. 

On an interesting personal note, James Dick married his devoted assistant Kate MacDonald in 1885. She travelled the world with him as he visited some of his overseas investments (including gold and silver mines). James was 62, Kate was in her 30s. After she became a widow in 1902, Kate went on to marry David Mackay. Mackay had been instrumental in persuading James Dick to pay for Kilmarnock's new museum, as he was Town Treasurer and later the Provost of Kilmarnock. He had been an active supporter of free access for all to art, literature and education, believing that exposure to the finer things in life would benefit and uplift his townsfolk. It is said that James Dick received Mackay's letter on the same day that one of his mines had struck-it-rich, and was happy to pay. 

2 Fmedia2 F12768572 Fdi 1960s
The Dick Institute, 1962
This photograph shows The Dick Institute as it was in 1962.
2 Fmedia2 F12768272 Fconcert
Ticket for concert at The Dick Institute, 1951
Kilmarnock Recorded Music Society concert ticket for Dick Institute on Monday 26 March 1951. The con
2 Fmedia2 F12768322 Fkeyring
Key tag for the main door and keybox of The Dick Institute
2 Fmedia2 F12768222 Fkate macdonald
Kate MacDonald
2 Fmedia2 F12768472 F1940s
Dick Institute staff, c. 1940s
This photograph shows the staff of The Dick Institute around the 1940s with what is now the Children
2 Fmedia2 F12768372 Fstaff 1920s
Dick Institute staff, c.1920s
This photograph shows the staff of The Dick Institute around the 1920s with what is now the Children
2 Fmedia2 F12768422 F1901
Dick Institute staff, 1901
This photograph shows the staff of The Dick Institute in 1901 outside the main door for the building
2 Fmedia2 F12768522 Fearly 20
Dick Institute staff, early 20th century
This photograph shows the staff of The Dick Institute in the early 20th century outside the main doo
2 Fmedia2 F122022 F8277
The Opening of the Dick Institute (2)
This is an image showing the assembled guests at the opening of the Dick Institute.
2 Fmedia2 F121992 F7850
The Opening of the Dick Institute (1)
This image has captured the crowd which gathered in Kilmarnock for the opening of the Dick Institute
2 Fmedia2 F121962 F610
James Dick (1823 - 1902)
2 Fmedia2 F121932 F543
Bust of James Dick (1823 - 1902)
This bust is on display in the Dick Institute.
2 Fmedia2 F121902 F5926
The Dick Institute, Kilmarnock
This postcard of the Dick Institute was posted from Kilmarnock on 7 August 1905 to Dover, England.
2 Fmedia2 F121872 F5535
The Dick Institute Lending Library
This photograph of the Dick Institute was probably taken not long after the Dick Institute was opene
2 Fmedia2 F121842 F5347
Ceremony of Laying Foundation Stone of Dick Library and Museum, Kilmarnock
The foundation stone of the Dick Institute was laid by Mrs Dick, wife of James Dick. The ceremony wa
2 Fmedia2 F121802 F5340
Copy of the Deed of Gift for the Dick Institute
This is a copy of the Deed of Gift stating James Dick's commitment to providing the funds for the bu
2 Fmedia2 F121772 F3808
Silver Box Presented to John Dick
This silver cigar box was presented to John Dick, the son of James by his business colleagues.   The
2 Fmedia2 F121742 F4408
Workmen Building the Dick Institute, 1899
2 Fmedia2 F121712 F4406
Elmbank House
Elmbank House used to stand on the site now occupied by the Dick Institute.
2 Fmedia2 F121682 F4407
Provost MacKay
David MacKay was Provost of Kilmarnock from 1895 to 1901. He believed strongly in the benefits of ar
2 Fmedia2 F121652 F4405
The Dick Institute after the Fire in 1909
Just eight years after the building opened a fire occured in the Dick Institute. These photographs s
2 Fmedia2 F121622 F3745
An Invitation to the Official Opening of The Dick Institute in 1901
This is an invitation to the official opening of The Dick Institute on 30 April 1901 by Mrs. Dick. O
2 Fmedia2 F121582 F3732
Key to The Dick Institute, Kilmarnock
This ornate key was presented to Mrs. Dick on the occassion of her opening the Dick Institute on 30t
You must enable javascript to view this website