John Balfour (Orkney MP) facts for kids
John Balfour (born 6 November 1750, died 15 October 1842) was a Scottish politician. He also worked for the East India Company, which was a big trading company. John Balfour had strong ties to the island of Shapinsay in Orkney.
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Early Life and Family
John Balfour's father was William Balfour. His family came from the Balfours of Trenabie, a place on the island of Westray. John Balfour became very wealthy while working in India. He married a woman who was the widow of a Colonel Mackennan. This woman, along with other British people living abroad, had lent money to the Rajah of Tanjore, a ruler in India. However, the Rajah did not want to pay back these loans.
Becoming a Politician
John Balfour was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Orkney and Shetland. This happened on 28 July 1790. As an MP, he had political power. He used his new connections to put pressure on the British Government. This pressure helped to get the money back for those who had lent it to the Rajah. This meant his wife received a lot of money.
Retirement and Return to Politics
Balfour decided to step down from being an MP in 1796. He let Robert Honyman take his place. However, John Balfour became an MP for Orkney and Shetland again later. He served from 1820 to 1826.
Shapinsay Island Connection
In 1827, John Balfour bought a large estate on the island of Shapinsay. This estate belonged to the Honyman family before. The village of Balfour on the island is named after his family. He started building Balfour Castle on Shapinsay. The castle was built on the spot where an older building once stood. His son, Colonel David Balfour, finished the work on the castle.
