Note 418 — Chapter XXIII · Closing Years of James Watt—His Death—Conclusion.

In 1808 Mr. Watt made over 300l. to the College by Deed of Gift, for the purpose of founding a prize for students in Natural Science, as some acknowledgment of “the many favours” which the College had conferred upon him.—In 1816 he gave to the Town of Greenock 100l. for the purpose of purchasing books for the Mathematical School. “My intention in this donation,” he observed in his letter to Mr. Anderson of Greenock, “is to form the beginning of a scientific library, for the instruction of the youth of Greenock; and I hope it will prompt others to add to it, and to render my townsmen as eminent for their knowledge as they are for their spirit of enterprise.” Watt’s idea has since been carried out by his townsmen, and the Watt Library is now one of the most valuable institutions of Greenock. It ought to be added, that the erection of the building was mainly due to the munificence of Mr. Watt’s son, the late James Watt, Esq., of Aston Hall, near Birmingham. A marble statue of Watt, by Chantrey, is placed in the Library, with an inscription from the pen of Lord Jeffrey.