James Macqueen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Macqueen
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| Born | 1778 Crawford, Lanarkshire, Scotland
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| Died | 1870 10 Norton Street, Kensington
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| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | geographer statistician political campaigner banker businessman |
| Title | Founder: Colonial Bank, and Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Glasgow Courier (Co-owner & editor) |
| Spouse(s) | Jean Macqueen |
James Macqueen (1778-1870) was a Scottish man who was many things: a geographer, a statistician, a political campaigner, a banker, and a businessman. He is remembered for starting two important companies: the Colonial Bank and the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.
Macqueen was also an expert on the geography of Africa. He believed that European countries should set up colonies there. This idea came many years before the period known as the "Scramble for Africa" (1881-1914), when many European nations took control of parts of the continent. He also co-owned and edited a newspaper called the Glasgow Courier. Later, he wrote about politics, geography, and money matters while living in London. He even started a bank in Mauritius.
Even though James Macqueen didn't go to university or have special training, his energy and passion made him a well-known, though sometimes controversial, person. He often started new projects but sometimes lost interest quickly. He wrote many letters to the Royal Geographical Society, and some of his writings were published in their journals.
Contents
A Look at James Macqueen's Life
Early Life and Business Beginnings
James Macqueen was born in Crawford, Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1778. By 1797, when he was just 19, he was managing a sugar estate on the island of Grenada. This experience gave him a lot of knowledge about the Caribbean.
Starting New Companies
When Macqueen returned to Glasgow in 1830, he noticed a problem. The postal ships used by the British Navy were slow and unreliable for sending mail to the West Indies. He decided to start a campaign to get a faster mail service using steamships.
His efforts paid off! The government eventually agreed to fund the project. In 1839, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company received a special permission called a royal charter to operate. The next year, in 1840, the British Navy gave the company a contract to deliver mail to the West Indian colonies. The first ship left Falmouth, Cornwall, on January 3, 1842. Over time, the mail service grew, and the company also operated routes within the West Indies and to cities like New York and Halifax.
Later Years and Legacy
James Macqueen passed away on May 14, 1870, at the age of 92. He died in Kensington, London. Sadly, he was not wealthy at the end of his life. His wife, Jean, who was 59 years old, had to rely on help from members of the Royal Geographical Society to get by.
See also
