James Stirling, born in Scotland c.1776, was a member of the Belfast Town Council and an alderman for St Anne’s Ward.

In 1851 he represented the Belfast Corporation at the Great Exhibition held at the purpose built Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London.

Stirling contributed to numerous funds for the relief of poverty and sat on the committee of the Belfast Fever Hospital.

His portrait by Richard Hooke was described in the local press as a masterpiece in which ‘the likeness is magical’.

He died aged eighty at his residence, Clarence Place, in Belfast.