James R. Ogden

Jeweller. He was born in Leeds, 1866, son of Charles William O., grocer, and Ellen. When he left school, he apprenticed himself to a Harrogate jeweller, and in 1893 opened his first shop in Harrogate. His clients included Edward VII, for whom he made a diamond and pearl collet for the King to give his daughter Princess Maude. In 1911 Ogdens provided the solid silver tea service offered as a prize in the Daily Mail Round Britain air race which finished at Harrogate. During World War I he converted his home into a reception centre for Belgian refugees, for which he was later awarded the Légion d’honneur.

Always interested in archaeology and antiquity, he was consulted by the British Museum and leading archaeologists as an expert in precious metals and gemstones. He was responsible for weighing and valuing the solid gold coffin of Tutankhamun. He later gave slide lectures about the finds in Egypt and Ur to raise funds for charities.

He died 13 April 1940.