James Court, a historic courtyard off Lawnmarket on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, is named after James Edgar, a 17th-century advocate and property developer who played a significant role in the area’s development. During the Scottish Enlightenment, James Court became one of the city’s most prestigious addresses, home to prominent figures such as philosopher David Hume and James Boswell, the famed biographer of Samuel Johnson.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), a towering figure in English literature, is best known for his “Dictionary of the English Language.” Johnson’s connection to James Court comes through his close friendship with James Boswell, who lived there. Boswell’s “The Life of Samuel Johnson” is considered one of the greatest biographies in English literature, offering deep insights into Johnson’s life and character.

Adding a modern connection, Susannah Alice Stephen (1960–1997), a landscape architect with a deep love for Edinburgh’s historic spaces, is also associated with James Court. After her tragic death, her friends placed a memorial in the court, honoring her life and contributions to the city. This memorial underscores the continued importance of James Court as a place of personal and historical significance.

Nearby, St. Columba’s Free Church, named after the 6th-century Irish missionary St. Columba, who played a crucial role in spreading Christianity in Scotland, adds a religious dimension to the area’s heritage. The church, established in the mid-19th century, underscores the ongoing religious and cultural significance of the area, which began with early Christian influences and continued through the Scottish Enlightenment.

In this way, James Court, with its association to David Hume, James Boswell, Samuel Johnson, and Susannah Alice Stephen, alongside the historical presence of St. Columba’s Free Church, exemplifies Edinburgh’s rich blend of intellectual, cultural, and religious history, spanning from the Enlightenment to the present day.