1866 - 1939

No history of Irvine Incorporated Trades would be complete without special reference being made to Harry Lumsden LL.D, who was an acknowledged historian on all respects of the Crafts and Guilds in Scotland.

Born in Irvine in 1866 and a lifelong resident of the town, his place of business was in Glasgow. He was a partner in the legal firm of Biggar and Lumsden. Mr Lumsden was appointed Clerk to the Trades House of Glasgow in 1896 and held that position for 43 years.

He joined the Hammermen Craft in Irvine in 1897 and became a member of the master court in 1906 and was an office bearer until his death in 1939. He was also Deacon Convenor of Irvine Incorporated Trades from 1910 until 1920.

It was known that the original translations of the 1646 Seal of Cause and the 1751 Charter of Confirmations contained many inaccuracies. Because of his expertise in this field, Harry Lumsden was asked to provide true translations of these two historically very important documents. His translations were published in booklet form in 1909.

On his suggestion in 1909 the Convenor's Court agreed that medals and chains should be provided for the six Deacons and for the Deacon Convenor. He prepared suitable designs for these items which were then manufactured in Glasgow and worn for the first time in February 1912.

He also designed the Hammermen's membership scroll. The copper plates still survive in perfect condition but are no longer used to print the scrolls.

As an author Hary Lumsden produced a number of books including "History of the Hammermen in Glasgow", "The Skinners and Glovers of Glasgow" and "Bibliography of the Fourteen Trades of Glasgow".

Much of our present day knowledge and history is due to his dedicated and painstaking research and attention to detail. Lumsden's legacy was much appreciated by his contemporaries and is still respected today by his beneficiaries.

His death on 18 November 1939 was a great loss to the Incorporated Trades, to the Trades House of Glasgow and to the townspeople of Irvine.

We in Irvine Incorporated Trades will be forever grateful for his contribution to our history and traditions. We are aware that, but for him and a few of his contemporaries, we may not have existed until the present day.