Sir James Donaldson was a Scottish printer and newspaper publisher.
Background
Donaldson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1751. His father, Alexander Donaldson (1727–1794), was the founding publisher of the Edinburgh Advertiser, but was perhaps better known as a bookseller and litigant, most notably Donaldson v Beckett, during the era known as the Battle of the booksellers. His mother was Anna Marshall, a merchant"s daughter.
Career
He bequeathed a large part of his estate to the founding of Donaldson"s Hospital. He had younger brothers, but all died young. At age 22, Donaldson became the second publisher of the Tory biweekly newspaper the Edinburgh Advertiser, the paper having been turned over to him by his father.
His printing house was located at Castlehill.
His apprentices and apprentice compositors included William Wilson, James Campbell, William Begg, Robert Miller, and James Thomson. In 1820, Donaldson sold the paper to Claud Muirhead, son of James Muirhead, the paper"s principal manager and superintendent.
Membership
Donaldson was a member of the Edinburgh Bookseller"s Society.