Sir James, who was born in this cottage at Pictstonhill Farm, became a famous cardiologist. While working in general practice in Burnley he developed theories relating to heart diseases. He devised surgical instruments to measure heart function and was responsible for the introduction of digitalis to control heart malfunction.
Sir James was responsible for the establishment of the Military Heart Hospital where he acted as a consultant during the First World War.
He was Knighted in 1915, aged 62.
