Lord William James Pirrie
William James Pirrie was born in Quebec, Canada on 31 May 1847 the only son of James Alexander Pirrie his wife Eliza (neé Montgomery). Pirrie's family lived at Conlig, County Down.
Following an education at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, in 1862, he entered the firm of Harland and Wolff. So meteoric was his rise that by 1874 he had been made a partner. He would remain with the firm all his life. Pirrie nurtured a close and lucrartive working relationship with first Thomas Henry Ismay and later his son, Joseph Bruce Ismay who led the White Star Line. Harland and Wolff was the sole constructor for White Star, building its ships to the highest specifications on what was termed a "cost-plus" basis.
Pirrie was instrumental in the formation of the International Mercantile Marine under John Pierpont Morgan which consolidated maritime transport in the North Atlantic with obvious benefits to his firm.
He was Lord Mayor of Belfast from 1896 to 1897 and was made Baron Pirrie of Belfast in 1906 (Viscount Pirrie in 1921 when George V visited Belfast).
Lord Pirrie died at sea on 6 June 1924 while on a business tour of South America.
References and Sources
The Dictionary of National Biography
Sign in : Register : Sign Out
Terms of Use | Permissions | Add to the Encyclopedia | Contact the Editor | Privacy Policy
© 1996-2008 Encyclopedia Titanica
Become an Editor
Help us to improve this biography
Summary
Born: Monday 31st May 1847 in Quebec City Québéc Canada
Age: 64 years 10 months and 15 days.
Marital Status: Married.
Occupation: Shipbuilder
Died: Friday 6th June 1924
Related Images
Related Articles
30-KNOT LINER PROBABLE New York Times
$1,000,000 FOR WITLEY COURT New York Times
CHANGE IN COMMODORES New York Times
LORD PIRRIE OPERATED UPON New York Times
LORD PIRRIE TO RETIRE New York Times
LORD PIRRIE NOT RETIRING New York Times
Captain E. J. Smith Memorial The Times
Pirrie Denies That He is to Retire New York Times
LORD PIRRIE DIES ON SHIP BOUND HERE New York Times
LORD PIRRIE - DOMINANT FIGURE IN SHIPBUILDING The Times
[There are 3 more items in the document archive]
Related Websites
VANITY FAIR CARICATURE OF LORD PIRRIE, PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND
Related Pages