William Burrell (1861-1958)
Sir William Burrell (1861–1958), ship owner and art collector
1861 Born in Glasgow, the third son of William Burrell (1832–1885), a shipowner, and his wife, Isabella Duncan Guthrie (d. 1912).
1876 Entered the family firm, Burrell and Son at the age of 15
1877 one of the firm's ships salvaged Cleopatra's Needle, which had been lost in the Bay of Biscay on its passage to England.
For many years Burrell managed the family business in conjunction with his eldest brother.
1901 Married Constance Mary Lockhart
The firm reached its peak activity in 1915, when it owned thirty ships all of over 4000 gross tonnage. By 1917 almost the entire fleet had been sold.
1916 Burrell acquired Hutton Castle near Berwick upon Tweed. Burrell made further additions to the structure and entirely remodelled the interior. He and his wife lived there from about 1926
Burrell devoted himself to art. As his collection grew, it soon outstripped the accommodation available in the castle and for many years much of it was widely dispersed on loan.
1925 Burrell presented over sixty paintings and drawings to the Glasgow Art Gallery.
1927 He was knighted for his services to art
1944 Burrell presented his great art collection to the city of Glasgow; he added to it lavishly every year until the end of his life.
1958 He died at Hutton Castle on 29 March.
See Also
Sources of Information
- DNB - Biography of William Burrell