Gibbs Family Tree

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

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

Male 1825 - 1909  (83 years)

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  • Name Donald Currie 
    Title Sir 
    Suffix G.C.M.G (Grand Cross of St Michael & St George) 
    Birth 17 Sep 1825  Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Occupation 1842  Liverpool, Lancashire Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Working for Cunard Lines 
    Occupation 1862 
    Established the Castle Line 
    Residence 1871  London Find all individuals with events at this location 
    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 Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Sinking of the Drummond Castle (Board of Trade Inquiry in South Africa) 
    Residence 1901  London Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial 1909  Fontigall Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Death 13 Apr 1909  London Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Title For sevices in connection with the Zulu War 
    Death 13 Apr 1909  The Manor House, Sidmouth, Devon Find all individuals with events at this location 
    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
    Person ID I3716  Gibbs Family Tree
    Last Modified 1 Jul 2020 

    Family Margaret Miller,   b. 1831, Lancashire Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1905 (Age 74 years) 
    Children 
     1. Elizabeth "Betsie" Martin Currie,   b. Jan 1856, Liverpool, Lancashire Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Jun 1933, London Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 77 years)
    Family ID F1533  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 9 Jul 2017 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 17 Sep 1825 - Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Working for Cunard Lines - 1842 - Liverpool, Lancashire Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1871 - London Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1901 - London Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 13 Apr 1909 - London Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 13 Apr 1909 - The Manor House, Sidmouth, Devon Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Donald_Currie_(1825-1909),_by_Walter_William_Ouless.jpg
    Donald_Currie_(1825-1909),_by_Walter_William_Ouless.jpg

    Documents
    1891 England Census-1893.jpg
    1891 England Census-1893.jpg