Sir Donald Currie, G.C.M.G (Grand Cross of St Michael & St George)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Title: For sevices in connection with the Zulu War
• Occupation: 1842, Liverpool, Lancashire; Working for Cunard Lines
• Occupation: 1862; Established the Castle Line
• Residence: 1871, London
• Member of Parliament: 1880; Liberal MP for Perthshire
• Member of Parliament: Between 1885 and 1890; Unionist Member for West Perthshire
• Shipping Disaster: 1896, Off the Breton Coast, 245 on board only 3 saved; Sinking of the Drummond Castle (Board of Trade Inquiry in South Africa)
• Residence: 1901, London
• Death: 13 Apr 1909, London

Notes:

A remarkable Scottish entrepreneur who was an outstanding example of Victorians who built up great businesses from nothing, who then entered politics (Sir Donald became a Liberal M.P. for a Scottish seat in the late 19th century), and who also spread their activities, commercial as well as diplomatic, internationally. Sir Donald founded what became the Union Castle shipping line which ran the mail boat service between England and South Africa.

A friend of the Cape Prime Minister, John Charles Molteno, he became his brother-in-law when Percy Molteno married Sir Donald’s daughter, Bessie, although in point of fact Sir John had died the year before this marriage. Sir Donald was a friend of the great Liberal leader, Gladstone, but broke with him politically over the question of Home Rule for Ireland. He bought three estates in the Scottish Highlands, including Glen Lyon which he left to his daughter, Bessie Molteno. He also used his great wealth to build up a major collection of Turner paintings, from which his descendants have continued to benefit for four generations.


For more about Donald Currie see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Currie

Family/Spouse: Margaret Miller. Margaret was born in 1831 in Lancashire; died in 1905. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elizabeth "Betsie" Martin Currie was born in Jan 1856 in Liverpool, Lancashire; died on 4 Jun 1933 in London.