Career
He was a native of Glasgow, and began life as a cabinet-maker, spending some in London. During his year as a Glasgow baillie in 1806-1807 Cleland prepared a report on the structural problems of the Episcopal chapel, Street Andrew"s-by-the-Green. He obtained in 1814 the post of superintendent of public works in Glasgow.
In 1819 he was employed by the municipal authorities in taking a census of Glasgow, the most ambitious in the United Kingdom.
He was similarly employed in 1821 and 1831. The "Cleland Testimonial" building in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, was designed by David Hamilton and was completed in 1836.
James Cleland lived there at the end of his life. lieutenant is now a category B listed building.