James Barr (composer) James Barr (composer) James Barr (1779–1860) was a Scottish composer who composed the tune which inspired the tune now used for the Australian traditional song "Waltzing Matilda." Born in Tarbolton in South Ayrshire, Barr taught music and worked for a publisher in Glasgow. Barr set several poems by his friend Robert Tannahill to music. According to Christina Macpherson, "Waltzing Matilda" was created in the sitting room of Dagworth Station in January 1895 with the help of a young solicitor and poet, "Banjo" Paterson. Tannahill wrote the words in 1805 and in 1818 Barr set them to music, possibly based on
Macpherson baronets Strathcarron. Macpherson baronets There have been two baronetcies created for persons with the surname Macpherson, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and one in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. The Macpherson Baronetcy, of Calcutta in India, was created in the Baronetage of Great Britain on 27 June 1786 for John Macpherson. He was Acting Governor-General of India from 1785 to 1786 and also represented Cricklade and Horsham in the House of Commons. The Macpherson Baronetcy, of Drumalban, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 26 April 1933. For more information on this creation, see the