Arthur Balfour, 1st Baron Riverdale facts for kids
Arthur Balfour, 1st Baron Riverdale (born 9 January 1873 – died 7 July 1957), was an important British businessman. He was known for making steel. He was also called Sir Arthur Balfour for some years before becoming a Baron.
Arthur Balfour was the son of Herbert Balfour. He went to Aysgarth School and Oundle School when he was young.
A Career in Business
Arthur Balfour was the boss of two steel companies, Arthur Balfour & Co Ltd and C Meadows & Co Ltd. Both of these companies were in Sheffield, a city in Yorkshire, England.
He also held many important roles in different groups:
- He was the President of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce from 1923 to 1924. This group helps businesses in Britain.
- He led the British Council from 1947 to 1950. This organization helps spread British culture and education around the world.
- He was the Chairman of the Advisory Council for Scientific and Industrial Research from 1937 to 1957. This council helped guide new scientific discoveries and industrial growth.
- From 1924 to 1928, he led the Committee on Industry and Trade. This committee looked at how industries and trade worked in the country.
The Riverdale Committee
In 1935, Arthur Balfour became the head of a special group called the Departmental Committee on Fire Brigade Services. People often called it the Riverdale Committee. This committee studied how fire brigades worked. Their ideas led to a new law called the Fire Brigades Act 1938. This law helped improve fire services across the country.
Family Life
Arthur Balfour married Frances Josephine Bingham in 1899. He passed away in July 1957 when he was 84 years old. His oldest son, Robert, took over his titles. Lady Riverdale, his wife, died a few years later in 1960. Arthur Balfour was also a freemason and helped start a group called University Lodge Sheffield 3911.
Awards and Special Titles
Arthur Balfour received many important awards and titles during his life:
- In 1923, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This meant he could use "Sir" before his name.
- In 1929, he became a Baronet of Sheffield. This was another special title that could be passed down in his family.
- On 27 June 1935, he was given the title of Baron Riverdale. This made him a member of the peerage, which is a group of people with special noble titles.
- On 11 June 1942, he received an even higher honor. He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. This was for his important work with the Empire Air Training Scheme, which trained pilots and aircrew during World War II.
In 1943, he was also made an honorary air commodore in the Auxiliary Air Force. He served with the No. 601 Squadron RAF.
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