Sir William Mackinnon, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir William Mackinnon, 1st Baronet
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| Born | 13 March 1823 |
| Died | 22 June 1893 (aged 70) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | British India Steam Navigation Company Imperial British East Africa Company |
| Spouse(s) |
Janet Colquhoun
(m. 1856) |
Sir William Mackinnon, 1st Baronet, CIE, FRSGS (born March 13, 1823 – died June 22, 1893) was a very successful Scottish businessman. He owned many ships and built a large trading empire. His businesses stretched across India and East Africa. He is famous for starting two big companies: the British-India Steam Navigation Company and the Imperial British East Africa Company.
Contents
About Sir William Mackinnon
His Early Life
William Mackinnon was born in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland. He started his career in the grocery business there. Later, he moved to Glasgow. In Glasgow, he worked for a merchant who traded with countries in Asia.
Building His Business
In 1847, Mackinnon traveled to India. He joined his old school friend, Robert Mackenzie. They worked in the "coasting trade." This meant they carried goods by ship from one port to another around the Bay of Bengal.
Together, they created a company called Mackinnon Mackenzie & Co. William Mackinnon decided to set up his main office in Cossipore.
In 1856, he started a shipping company. It was first called the Calcutta and Burma Steam Navigation Company. In 1862, it became the British India Steam Navigation Company. This company grew very large. It traded all around the Indian Ocean. Its ships went to places like Burma, the Persian Gulf, and the east coast of Africa. They sailed from Aden to Zanzibar.
In 1865, he also started Gray, Dawes and Company. This was a business partnership for his nephew, Archibald Gray, and Edwyn Sandys Dawes. The company began as an agency for shipping and insurance in London. Over time, it grew and even became a bank.
In 1888, Mackinnon founded another important company. It was called the Imperial British East Africa Company. He became its leader. The British government supported this company. Its main goals were to stop the slave trade and make trade fair for everyone. This company later became part of the British government's rule in East Africa.
In 1889, William Mackinnon was given a special title. He became the 1st Baronet of Strathaird and Loup.
Mackinnon also helped fund Henry Morton Stanley's journey. This trip was called the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition. Mackinnon helped gather money and support for this important exploration. In 1891, he also started a Christian mission in East Africa.
His Final Years
Sir William Mackinnon passed away in London in 1893. He was buried in Clachan, Kintyre. This was near his home, Balinakill House.
His Lasting Impact
Sir William Mackinnon and his nephew, Duncan MacNeil, left money to start a special trust. It was called the Mackinnon MacNeil Trust. Its goal was to "provide a good education to deserving Highland lads."
The trust bought a large estate in Southend, Kintyre. They used it to open the Kintyre Technical School. After nine years, a fire destroyed the building. The school, renamed Keil School, moved to Dumbarton. It continued to educate students until the year 2000.
After the school closed, the trust continued its work. Today, the Mackinnon MacNeil Trust helps young people. It gives money to students from the Western Highlands and Islands who go to university. A member of the Mackinnon family still leads the Trust.
In 1890, a statue was built to honor Sir William Mackinnon in Mombasa, Kenya. It was later moved to a school in 1964. Finally, in 2004, it was moved again and put up in Campbelltown.
