Background
LAIDLAY, William James was born on August 12, 1846 in Calcutta. 2nd son of John Watson Laidlay, Seacliff, Haddingtons. and Drumore, Argyllshire, N.B.
LAIDLAY, William James was born on August 12, 1846 in Calcutta. 2nd son of John Watson Laidlay, Seacliff, Haddingtons. and Drumore, Argyllshire, N.B.
Loretto; St. Peter’s College Cambridge (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws). English and Scotch Bars, 1872.
Practised at Scotch Bar, 1872-1878. Studied art in Paris, 1879-1885. In Beaux Arts and several years as pupil of Carolus Duran and Bouguereau, founder of the New English Art Club.
A constant exhibitor at Royal Academy and Salon, 1881 - 96. New Gallery, 1888 -1904. Joined R.S.B.A. 1902. Barrister, advocate, and artist.
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Club: Oxford and Cambridge.