Джеймс Лик: Американдық кәсіпкер және пианино жасаушы

American businessman and piano builder (1796–1876)
a high school named after Lick

James Lick (August 25, 1796 – October 1, 1876) was an American real estate investor, carpenter, piano builder, land baron, and patron of the sciences. The wealthiest man in California at the time of his death, Lick left the majority of his estate to social and scientific causes.

James Lick was born in Stumpstown (Fredericksburg) Pennsylvania on August 25, 1796. Lick's paternal grandfather, William Lick, served during the American Revolutionary War under General George Washington; his son, John Henry Lick, served during the American Civil War. The son of a carpenter, Lick began learning the craft at an early age. When he was twenty one, he had a romance with Barbara Snavely, the mother of his only child, John Henry. They never married, and the romance failed. Lick left Stumpstown for Baltimore, Maryland, where he learned the art of piano making. He quickly mastered the skill, and moved to New York City and established his own shop. In 1821 Lick moved to Argentina, after learning that his pianos were being exported to South America.

Lick found his time in Buenos Aires to be difficult, because of his ignorance of Spanish and the turbulent political situation in the country. Despite this, his business thrived, and in 1825 Lick left Argentina to tour Europe for a year. On his return trip, his ship was captured by the Portuguese, and the passengers and crew were taken to Montevideo as prisoners of war. Lick escaped captivity and returned to Buenos Aires on foot. In 1832, Lick returned to Stumpstown. He failed to reunite with Barbara Snavely and their son, and returned to Buenos Aires. He decided the political situation was too unstable and moved to Valparaíso, Chile. After four years, he again moved his business, this time to Lima, Peru. In 1846, Lick returned to North America. Anticipating the Mexican–American War and the future annexation of California, he decided to settle there. A backlog of orders for his pianos delayed him 18 months, as his Mexican workers returned to their homes to join the Mexican Army. He finished the orders himself.