John Arnott facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Arnott
Born	26 July 1814
Died	28 March 1898  (aged 83)
Occupation	Politician
Spouse(s)	Mary McKinlay, Emily Jane Fitzgerald
Children	10

Sir John Arnott, 1st Baronet (born July 26, 1814 – died March 28, 1898) was a very successful businessman from Scotland and Ireland. He was a major figure in the business and political life of Cork in the late 1800s. He also started the famous Arnotts department store chain. He was a JP, which means he was a public official who helped keep the peace.

Early Life and Business Beginnings

John Arnott was born in Auchtermuchty, Fife, Scotland. His parents were John Arnott and Elizabeth Paton.

In 1837, Arnott moved to Cork to work at a store called Grants. He later tried to open his own shop, but it didn't do very well. After that, he started a business in Belfast which was much more successful. He then returned to Cork and opened a clothing store. This store grew into a large chain across Ireland and Britain, including the well-known Arnotts in Henry Street, Dublin.

Building His Business Empire

Sir John Arnott was involved in many different businesses. Some of these included Cash and Company Cork, the City of Cork Steamship Company, and the Cork and Macroom Direct Railway. He also owned parts of the Passage Docks Shipbuilding Company and the Bristol General Steam Navigation Company. He even had a brewery in Cork!

He bought two newspapers, the Irish Times and The Northern Whig. He later sold The Northern Whig because he disagreed with what it published. His family kept a connection with the Irish Times for many years.

Serving the Public

Arnott was elected Lord Mayor of Cork three times, in 1859, 1860, and 1861. The Lord Mayor is like the main leader of a city. He was also the Sheriff of Cork City in 1871, another important public role. He served as a Justice of the Peace for both Cork City and County.

From 1859 to 1863, he was a Member of Parliament for Kinsale. This meant he was a politician who helped make laws. In 1859, he was given the special title of Knight Bachelor by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Later, in 1896, he became a baronet, which is another special title.

Sir John Arnott was also a kind person who helped others, known as a philanthropist. He was part of an investigation into how children were treated at the Cork workhouse, a place for poor people. He also helped with a new law about helping the poor. There is a plaque on St Patrick's Bridge in Cork that remembers him opening the bridge on December 12, 1861.

In 1896, he bought a very large farm in County Cork, about 32,000 acres. He used it as a stud farm to raise horses, which he loved, and also to help local farmers improve their animals.

His Legacy

Sir John Arnott married Mary McKinlay. You can find out more about his family in the Arnott baronets article.

A street in Portobello, Dublin, called Arnott Street, is named after him. In 1874, he bought property in that area with two other people, James Fitzgerald Lombard and Edward McMahon. Other streets in the area, Lombard Street West and McMahon Street, are also named after them.

Images for kids

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  The coat of arms granted to Sir John Arnott in 1896.

See also

• Irish Times
• Arnott baronets