James Borthwick

3 March 1866, Edinburgh - 4 August 1932, Glasgow

Graduated M.A. 1892, University of Glasgow
Member of Glasgow Chess Club since 1895
Scottish Champion 1903

British Chess Magazine, September 1932, p 395:
Scotland has lost one of its most enthusiastic and valued supporters of chess by the death on August 4 of James Borthwick, M.A., of Glasgow. His health had not been good for eight or nine months, but after an apparent turn for the better, he had a relapse and passed away. He joined the Glasgow club in1895, and became Scottish champion in 1913 [sic - 1903]. He played in most of the important matches for thirty years. He was a specialist in problems, and always carried his pocket board in case of sudden inspiration. As a teacher, he was as good at chess as in his own profession, and many lectures and demonstrations were given by him from time to time.

The present writer's principal bond of union with him was in connection with his fine chess library. He studied carefully any books advertised for sale in the British Chess Magazine, and quite a number of his rarer books were obtained through this channel. He was the sort of man who always knew exactly what he wanted, and sent the money with the order. We see in the Falkirk Herald that this splendid chess library has been offered to the Glasgow Chess Club, and if so, it will be a great gift from the hand of a great personality.

Notes:
The Falkirk Herald of 10 August 1932 also noted that Borthwick was a bachelor, and that he died in a nursing home. It also refers to 'little notebooks of problems he carried with him'. In the chess column for 17 August, the Rev. John Young of Oban remembers that Borthwick taught at John Street School in Bridgeton, later at Provanside, North Montrose St., Glasgow, and that he lived in Tollcross, in a flat of his own.

Glasgow CC LIbrary
Due to problems with accommodation over a number of years, Glasgow CC sold off its extensive and valuable library in two stages. The Scottish Chess Association Bulletin No. 20, May-September 1966, had an announcement on page 1 of an auction of chess books to be held at Jean's Tearooms, 303 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, the 'home' of the club at that time.

In the same issue of the Bulletin, on page 6, M.D. Thornton, secretary of the Scottish Chess Association, commented:

The Edinburgh Chess Club has its own premises (so too has Dundee CC) with a library and with showcases containing souvenirs of a great past. By contrast, the Glasgow Chess Club, which in the last few years has met in four different places, is now selling the remainder of its library due to lack of accommodation. In playing strength Glasgow is greater than any other part of Scotland. Surely such a city could maintain one club in its own premises, open six days a week, to the great benefit of chess in the whole of the West of Scotland. A library, whose oldest books date from before 1850, once dispersed, can never be got togather again. But the loss of the library is nothing to the evident loss of the spirit of friendship and co-operation. Greatness is more than playing strength. Oh, Glasgow, Glasgow.

The library was indeed auctioned off, never to be put togather again. The sale included items from the 'Borthwick Library', some of which appeared again at an auction at Christie's in Glasgow in 1987.

Compiled by Alan McGowan