William Fraser, 1st Baron Strathalmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Milligan Fraser
CBE
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|---|---|
 |
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| Born | 3 November 1888 Glasgow, Scotland
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| Died | 1 April 1970 (aged 81) |
| Education | Glasgow Academy Royal Technical College |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Roberton McLintock
(m. 1913; |
| 1st Chairman of British Petroleum | |
| In office 1954–1956 |
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| Succeeded by | Basil Jackson |
William Milligan Fraser, 1st Baron Strathalmond (born November 3, 1888 – died April 1, 1970) was an important Scottish businessman in the oil industry. He was the fourth and last chairman of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company from 1941 to 1954. After that, he became the first chairman of British Petroleum from 1954 to 1956.
William Fraser's Journey
William Fraser was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His father, also named William Fraser, started the Pumpherston Oil Company. In 1909, young William joined his father's business. He quickly moved up, becoming a director in 1913 and a joint managing director in 1915.
During the First World War, William Fraser worked hard to increase the supply of oil. For his efforts, he was given a special award called the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1918.
In 1923, Fraser joined the board of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. He became the deputy chairman in 1928. He played a big role in making oil production much larger in countries like Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait. Because of his knowledge, he became known as a top expert on oil in the Middle East.
In 1941, he took over as chairman of the company. The company later changed its name to the British Petroleum Company in 1954. Fraser stayed in charge until 1956. He also advised the British government on oil matters for many years, especially during wartime.
Special Recognitions
William Fraser received several important honors during his life. After being awarded the CBE in 1918, he was made a knight in 1939. This meant he could use "Sir" before his name.
In 1955, he was given the title of Baron Strathalmond. This made him a "peer," which is a special title in the British system. He was known as Lord Strathalmond.
Family Life
Lord Strathalmond married Mary Roberton McLintock in 1913. Mary was born on April 11, 1892, and passed away on October 17, 1963. They had two children:
- William Fraser, 2nd Baron Strathalmond (born May 8, 1916, died October 27, 1976)
- Hon Mary Joan Fraser (born October 29, 1922, died March 6, 2004)
Lord Strathalmond passed away in April 1970 when he was 81 years old. His only son, William, inherited his title and became the 2nd Baron Strathalmond. He is buried at Putney Vale Cemetery in South West London.
Images for kids
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A coronet, a type of crown worn by a baron.
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The coat of arms for the Strathalmond family.
