George Holt (merchant) facts for kids
George Holt (1825 – 3 April 1896) was an important businessman from Liverpool, England, during the Victorian era. He was a ship owner, a merchant who traded goods, and a collector of beautiful art. In 1845, he started a shipping company called Lamport and Holt with his partner, William James Lamport.
George Holt's Life Story
George Holt was born in 1825. His parents were George Holt and Emma Durning. He married Elizabeth Bright in Liverpool on December 1, 1853.
The Holt family lived in different parts of Liverpool. They first lived at Edge Lane, then in West Derby. In 1884, they moved to a large house called Sudley House in Aigburth, Liverpool.
George and Elizabeth Holt had one child, a daughter named Emma Holt. Emma was born in 1862. She later inherited Sudley House and lived there until she passed away in 1944. Her mother, Elizabeth, lived until 1920.
His Family and Beliefs
George Holt had several brothers who also became successful. His brother Alfred Holt (1829–1911) founded another famous shipping company called the Blue Funnel Line. Other brothers included Philip Holt (1830–1914) and Robert Durning Holt. Robert Durning Holt became the very first Lord Mayor of Liverpool. George also had a sister named Anne.
The entire Holt family belonged to a Christian faith called Unitarianism.
Supporting Education and Science
Beyond his business work, George Holt was very interested in science and education. He was a strong supporter of the physicist Oliver Lodge, who did important experimental work. George Holt also helped the Liverpool Physical Society.
He gave a lot of money to University College, Liverpool. This college later became the University of Liverpool. His donations helped create special teaching positions in subjects like physiology (how the body works) and pathology (the study of diseases). He also supported research students in medical sciences.
The George Holt Building at the University of Liverpool is named after him. This building opened in 1904. It currently holds several laboratories for the university's computer science department. George's wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Emma, also contributed a lot of money to help build it. Over time, Elizabeth and Emma also donated their time, paintings, and furniture to the university.
There is also a student residence hall at Edge Hill University named Holt, in his honor.
