Grave of James Scott

James Scott (23 February 2009)


James Scott was the business partner of Captain Francis Light. After Light established George Town, Scott went on to become the largest land owner on the island. He died on 19 September, 1808, and was buried at the Protestant Cemetery along Northam Road in George Town, Penang, just a stone's throw from Francis Light's grave.

James Scott was born in Makerstown County, Roxburgh, Scotland. He joined the Royal Navy and got to know Francis Light, his future business partner, when the two of them were young midshipmen.

A shrewd person, Scott is said to have prospered at the expense of Francis Light. Even within Light's lifetime, Scott had rose to become the most powerful entrepreneur in Penang. After Light died, Scott wasted no time in expropriating most of Light's property, despite a will which stated Martina Rozell, his common-law wife, as beneficiary. Martina tried to sue but to no avail, but the British system in Penang seemed to side with the powerful Scotman.

The influence of James Scott in Penang did not go unnoticed even among the British officials on the island. One of them was Governor Forbes Ross Macdonald. As with Martina, those who went against Scott did not last long in Penang. When Scott protested some of Macdonald's policies, his friend Fairlie lobbied the Governor-General in India to have Macdonald removed.

Another Scotman, David Brown, arrived in Penang around 1800 and quickly became the junior partner to Scott. When Scott died eight years later, his interests and properties passed to Brown, who became then the largest landowner in Penang. The firm founded by Light and Scott, became Scott & Company, and then Scott, Brown & Company.

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