Sir James Thomson Ritchie, 1st Baronet (21 September 1833 – 18 September 1912), was a Scottish businessman who served as the 576th Lord Mayor of London.
Early life and family
Ritchie was born in Angus, Scotland, the second son of William Ritchie, a landed proprietor of Rockhill House, Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire, and head of the firm of William Ritchie & Son of London and Dundee, which operated as East India merchants, jute spinners, and manufacturers. His younger brother, Charles Ritchie, was later ennobled as Charles Ritchie, 1st Baron Ritchie of Dundee.
Career
James Ritchie became a partner in his father's business, which was based in London. He subsequently entered public life in the City of London, becoming an alderman. He served as Sheriff of London for the year 1896–97 and was knighted in 1897. He was elected Lord Mayor of London for the term 1903–04.
Baronetcy
On 15 December 1903, he was created a baronet, of Highlands, Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight.
Personal life and death
In 1858, Ritchie married Lydia Rebecca Lemon, daughter of James Lemon. The couple had two sons and seven daughters. He died at Shanklin on 18 September 1912, at which point the baronetcy expired despite his having living male heirs. His eldest son, James William Ritchie, was subsequently created a baronet in his own right in 1918, reportedly "to regularize an informality in the previous title."
