Sir James Shaw, 1st Baronet

[3] At the age of 17, he followed his elder brother to America to seek work,[1][3] returning after three years to take up a position in the same company's London offices and becoming a junior partner in the firm.

[1] Shaw had developed a reputation as a "gentleman and a citizen" and was sponsored for the office of Lord Mayor of London by the Scriveners' Company, and became only the second member of that guild to achieve that honour.

[5][6] According to one account, Shaw discussed the matter with the Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool, who was aware that the Prince Regent would be attending the funeral, but did not seem willing to take action.

[2][7] Shaw was created Baronet, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Ayr by George III in 1809,[8] and re-created in 1813 by a second patent to include a future interest for his nephew.

[9][10] Shaw is commemorated in Kilmarnock town centre by a statue of Carrara marble, about 17 feet tall, on a base of Aberdeen granite, executed by sculptor James Fillans (1808–52).

The mild, benevolent features of Sir James are finely developed; and, as a whole, it is replete with that seeming animation and intellectual expression which mark the superior powers of the sculptor, and give to the object itself a high and permanent interest.