A terrorist for America? With brilliant forensic historical research Jessica Warner unearths the unknown story of the first British terrorist to commit acts of terror for America. James Aitken, alias James Boswell, alias James Hill, alias James Hinde was born in Edinburgh in 1752, one of twelve children. His father died when he was young and he was sent to Heriot's School. He trained as a house painter but couldn't find work and tramped the country looking for jobs, housebreaking and pick-pocketing. Along the way he became an impassioned supporter of the American Revolution. A two-year spell in America - where again he couldn't find work and was refused by the army - didn't dampen his ardour. As terrorists always do, he decided to strike where it would hurt most - in the naval dockyards. They were vital to keep British naval supremacy. No ships = no navy. His first act of terror was to burn down Portsmouth Dockyard in December 1776 but luckily he only managed to destroy the Rope House