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February 6, 2002 - Dr. James Stirling - Inventor of the Bicycle
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The following information about Dr. James Stirling was provided by Stirling family expert David M. Stirling, who lives in Denny, Scotland.
"Dr James Stirling was the son of Peter Stirling and Margaret Paterson. He was born at Newbiggings, Lecropt, Perthshire on 23 February, 1799. He was the youngest son of Peter & Margaret. The male siblings were Peter, born 30 Mar 1794, Archibald, born 27 Oct 1795. The brothers were not in Lecropt Parish in 1819, when a census was taken. About 1815, he astounded the citizens of the City of Dunblane in Perthshire, by riding down the High Street on a "widden horse" (a bicycle) invented by himself and complete with pedals and chain. He was a grand-nephew of Michael Stirling, inventor of the threshing machine who was himself grandfather of Rev. Robert Stirling, inventor of the Stirling Hot Air Engine. Dr James emigrated to Canada and died at Van Kleck Hill, Ontario, in 1857. James had at least two daughters, Ann Mary and Isabella Stirling."
"Dr James was my first cousin, five times removed and he was a second cousin, once removed of Rev. Robert Stirling, inventor of the Stirling Air Engine."
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