Introduction
James Cameron Lees KCVO (1835–1913) was a Church of Scotland minister and author at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
Life
Lees was born in London on 24 July 1834 the son of James Lees a Perth gun-maker who had relocated to London and his wife Mary Isabella Cameron.
He studied divinity at London University and was licensed to preach in the Church of Scotland and reached a position of importance through the patronage of Lord Abercorn.
He was the incumbent at Carnach, Abbey of Paisley and St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh. He was Dean of the Thistle and Dean of the Chapel Royal from 1887 to 1910. He was an Honorary Chaplain to the Queen from 1881 to 1901, and was appointed a Chaplain-in-Ordinary in Scotland to King Edward VII in October 1901. In 1901 he was living at 33 Blacket Place in south Edinburgh.
He died at St Giles in Kingussie on 26 June 1913, and is buried in the Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh on the northern side of the original cemetery.
Family
In 1872, Lees was married to Rhoda Rainsford Hannay (1843-1887).
His children included Mabel (1875-1894) and John Cameron (1874-1905).
Publications
- The Greek Church (1894)
- Stronbuy (1893)
- Life and Conduct (1911 reprinted 1922)
- Tobersnorey
- Beatha Agus Caithearnh-Beatha (1916)
- A History of the County of Inverness
- A History of Paisley Abbey
- St Giles, Edinburgh