Figure 1. A microscope slide that was retailed by Lennie. It is undated, but the style suggests preparation ca. 1880-1900.
James Lennie, ca. 1817 - 1854
Eliza Lennie, ca. 1818 - 1905
John Magnus Lennie, 1839 - 1912
Joseph Campbell Lennie, 1848 - 1923
by Brian Stevenson
last updated March, 2020
The Lennie optical business was founded in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1835. They primarily made and sold eyeglasses, and likely manufactured some other optical apparatus. Microscopes are occasionally seen with Lennie's name attached, which were most likely acquired from wholesale manufacturers. Slides with the Lennie label were probably acquired from local mounters.
After James Lennie died in 1854, his wife, Eliza, continued the business through the end of the century. Apparatus and advertisements occasionally note the name "E. Lennie", dating them to the time of Eliza's management. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Eliza and James' sons, John and Joseph, took over management. Their descendants continued the Lennie business until 1959.
Figure 1.
A microscope slide that was retailed by Lennie. It is undated, but the style suggests preparation ca. 1880-1900.
Figure 2.
A ca. 1840s-50s drum microscope, signed "Lennie Edinburgh" on the body tube. Features such as the multiple objective lenses of various magnifications, brass "talc" box for holding mica cover slips, and circular holes in the sides that permit a glass fish tube to placed across the stage, date such instruments to the mid-1800s. This instrument is much more refined than the late 1800s – early 1900s simplistic drum microscopes such as shown in Figure 3. Adapted for nonprofit, educational purposes from https://www.perea-borobio.com/en/42-drum-microscope-lennie-edinburgh-c-1857/
Figure 3.
Late 1800s microscope, probably made in France. The label "E. Lennie" dates its sale to the time when Eliza Lennie managed the firm. Adapted for nonprofit, educational purposes from an internet auction site.
Figure 4.
Another late 1800s instrument, with Eliza Lennie's trade label. It states that the firm was founded in 1835. Adapted for nonprofit, educational purposes from an internet auction site.
James Lennie was born ca. 1817, and Eliza Brown ca. 1818. The two married on September 20, 1836 in Aberdeen. As Eliza's later trade labels stated that the Lennie optical business was founded in 1835 (Figure 4), then it appears that James began the business a year or so before the marriage.
The 1846 Post Office Directory of Edinburgh and Leith listed, "Lennie, Jas. jeweller and optician, 14 Leith street". The 1851 directory listed the business as only "optician". The business was successful to the point that the Lennie family did not live at the shop, but instead had a home at 17 St. James' Square.
James Lennie died on December 26, 1854. Eliza continued the business, both as "Lennie" and "E. Lennie".
On November 25, 1857, Eliza married James Taylor. She retained the surname "Lennie" for business purposes. Around the time of her marriage, she moved the business to 46 Princes Street. Her home also moved, presumably to James' house. The 1858 Post Office Directory of Edinburgh and Leith listed, "Lennie, Mrs. E. optician, 46 Princes street - house, 14 Elder street".
Toward the end of the 1800s, sons John and Joseph assumed management of the Lennie business. Around the turn of the century, the business adopted the name "J. & J. Lennie".
Eliza Lennie Taylor died on December 8, 1905.
John Lennie died on May 1, 1912.
The firm became "E. & J. Lennie" by 1913.
Joseph died on July 7, 1923.
The firm continued under management of John and Joseph's sons/nephews/grandsons. Around 1954, the business moved to 5 Castle Street. Ernest John Lennie closed the business in 1959.
Figure 6.
A souvenir carte-de-visite photograph of Sir Walter Scott's study, prepared by Lennie. It is dated July 25, 1864 in pencil. Adapted for nonprofit, educational purposes from an internet auction site.
Figure 6.
The Lennie optical business at 46 Princes Street, Edinburgh, a corner spot on the ground floor of the Old Waverley Hotel. Adapted for nonprofit, educational purposes from https://antiqueoptics.eu/home/landen/verenigd-koninkrijk/lennie-edinburgh/ .
Figure 7.
An 1858 advertisement, from "Black's Picturesque Guide to the English Lakes".
Figure 8.
An 1859 advertisement, from "The Official Illustrated Guide to the Lancaster and Carlisle, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Caledonian Railways".
Figure 9.
An 1861 advertisement, from "Black‛s Picturesque Tourist and Road and Railway Guide Book Through England".
Figure 10.
An 1880 advertisement, from "The 'Royal' Grand Annual Pantomime, Entitled Cinderella and the Little Glass Slipper".
Resources
Black's Picturesque Guide to the English Lakes (1858) Advertisement from E. Lennie
Black‛s Picturesque Tourist and Road and Railway Guide Book Through England (1861) Advertisement from E. Lennie
The Illustrated London News (1957) "Edinburgh E. & J. Lennie (Mr. E.J. Lennie), 5 Castle", Vol. 231, page 48
Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News (1913), Advertisement from Dollond, distributed in Edinburgh by E. & J. Lennie, 46 Princes Street, Vol. 79, page 810
Kelly's Directory of Chemists and Druggists (1921) "Photographic Material Dealers: Lennie E. & J. 46 Princes street, Edinburgh", page 792
The Official Illustrated Guide to the Lancaster and Carlisle, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Caledonian Railways (1859) Advertisement from E. Lennie
Post Office Directory of Edinburgh and Leith (1846) "Lennie, Jas. jeweller and optician, 14 Leith street"
Post Office Directory of Edinburgh and Leith (1851) "Lennie, Jas. optician, 14 Leith street - ho. 17 St James' square"
Post Office Directory of Edinburgh and Leith (1856) "Lennie, Jas. optician, 14 Leith street - ho. 17 St James' square"
Post Office Directory of Edinburgh and Leith (1856) "Lennie, Jas. optician, 14 Leith street - ho. 17 St James' square"
Post Office Directory of Edinburgh and Leith (1891) "Lennie, E., 46 Princes street"
Probate of the estate of Eliza Lennie (1905) "Brown or Lennie or Taylor Eliza of 13 Chamberlain-road Edinburgh widow died 8 December 1905 Confirmation John Magnus Lennie, Joseph Campbell Lennie and John Ewart writer to the signet Sealed London 21 February", accessed through ancestry.com
Probate of the estate of James Lennie (1895) "Lennie, James, Optician, Leith Street, Edinburgh, residing at 17 St James Square there, who died 26 December 1854, at Edinburgh, intestate. Eik to Confirmation granted at Edinburgh, 22 November, to Eliza Brown or Lennie or Taylor, wife of James Taylor, 13 Chamberlain Road, Edinburgh, Executrix dative qua relict. Value of Additional Estate, £120. Original Confirmation granted 3 April, 1856", accessed through ancestry.com
Probate of the estate of John Magnus Lennie (1912) "Lennie, John or John Magnus, retired Optician, 7 Napeir Road, Edinburgh, died 1 May 1912, at Edinburgh, testate. Confirmation granted at Edinburgh, 4 June, to John Gordon Lennie, Optician, Edinburgh, and Charles Douglas Lennie, Optician, Dundee, his sons, and James Smart, S.S.C., Edinburgh, Executors nominated in Will or Deed, dated 18 June 1910, and recorded with another Writ in Court Books of Commission of Edinburgh, 3 June 1912. Value of Estate, £48,013, 7s", accessed through ancestry.com
Probate of the estate of Joseph Campbell Lennie (1923) "Lennie, Joseph Campbell, Rose Park, 3 Trinity Road, Edinburgh, died 7 July 1923 at Edinburgh, testate. Confirmation Edinburgh, 25 August, to Maria Bell or Lennie, Rose Park, aforesaid, his widow, Executrix. Will dated 9 May 1910 recorded Edinburgh 24 August 1923. Value of Estate, £393:10:6", accessed through ancestry.com
The 'Royal' Grand Annual Pantomime, Entitled Cinderella and the Little Glass Slipper (1880) Advertisement from Lennie
Scotland census and other records, accessed through ancestry.com