Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Denholm, James
DENHOLM, JAMES (1772–1818), teacher of drawing in Glasgow, rightly described as one of the ablest of the local chroniclers (Glasgow, Past and Present, i. 62), was author of ‘An Historical and Topographical Description of the City of Glasgow. By James Denholm, writer’ (Glasgow, 1797, 12mo), the contents of which have been largely appropriated by later compilers of local histories and guide-books. An enlarged edition appeared, in 12mo, in 1798, and the little book is understood to have gone through other editions. Denholm also wrote ‘A Descriptive Tour to the Principal Scotch and English Lakes. By James Denholm, of the Drawing and Painting Academy, Argyle Street, Member of the Philosophical and Philotechnical Societies’ (Glasgow, 8vo). The Philosophical Society was founded in 1802, and, according to the minute-book, Denholm became a member in 1803, and was president from 1811 to 1814. Biographical particulars of him are scanty. He died in Glasgow, at the age of forty-five, on 20 April 1818. The ‘Scots Magazine’ states that the productions of his pencil were much valued, and refers to the useful work done by him as a teacher of drawing, geography, &c. His name does not appear in any list of British artists.
[Denholm's Works, see Brit. Mus. Cat. Printed Books; Glasgow, Past and Present (1884, 8vo), 3 vols.; Scots Magazine, new ser. ii. 392.]