Watsons of Note

JAMES WATSON – Historian and Journalist

Son of Andrew Watson and Helen Wark. James came from a family of weavers who usually had little to no education. James, however, thirsted for knowledge and taught himself what he needed to know to become the expert of Jedburgh Abbey in his time.

GEORGE MARR WATSON – Lexicographer and Historian

Grandson of William Watson and Euphemia Wark.

George became fascinated with Jedburgh’s local language and history at a young age. He was a prolific writer of historical essays and articles. He joined the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) team in 1907 and even worked on proofs on the frontlines during World War I. Later in life he worked on the American version of the OED, but not adequately recognized for his efforts.

THOMAS SCOTT SMAIL – Bookseller and Publisher

Son of Thomas Rutherford Smail and Margaret Watson (daughter of William Watson and Euphemia Wark).

Thomas Scott took over his father’s well-established book store and publishing business, which published the works of the above James Watson and George Watson. In 1913, he moved with his family to Waverly, Massachusetts, USA, but died only four months after arriving.

Photograph © RCAHMS

JAMES CAMERON WATSON – Mayor of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (1890-1986)

Great grandson of Andrew Watson and Helen Wark.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1890, James received his education in Boston, New York and Halifax. An electrician by trade, he was employed by Bell Telephone and later, Alberta Government Telephones.

During World War I he served as a Lewis gunner with the 56th and later, the 50th Battalions. Following the Battle of Vimy Ridge, he was transferred to the Signal Corps. Mr. Watson saw action at the Somme, Paschendale, Amiens and at Cambrai, where he was wounded.

Mr. Watson was first elected to Calgary City Council in 1943 and served through to 1945. He became the 25th Mayor of Calgary in 1945 and held that office for three years.

Always active in union work, Mr. Watson was at one time, Chairman of the Calgary Labour Council and continued to be involved in labour matters into his retirement.

Dr. Oscar Watson – Physician and Journalist (1869-1941)

Grandson of John Rutherford Watson and Margaret Hislop. Dr. Watson, a son of the late Alexander and Agnes (Sterling) Watson, was born at Saint John. He graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1888 with a B.A. degree and obtained his M.A. two years later. After working for the Saint John Evening Gazette he went to New York in 1891 where he joined the Associated Press staff in 1893. For a period of the Spanish-American war, he was an A.P. correspondent at the frontlines. While there he met two other war correspondents also formerly of Saint John: E. W, McCready, New York Herald, and Thomas M. Dieu-ade, New York Sun.

When he retired in 1929, he had dictated more than 30,000,000 words of foreign news. During his career with the Associated Press, he served as night city editor, night editor, cable editor, cable supervisor, and chief of foreign service. While doing newspaper work he studied at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University where he gained his Medical Degree. After that, he practised both professions for several years.