The Rt Hon. William McEwan MP (1827-1913)
Arthur Marx [photographer]
Category
Photographs
Date
Unknown
Materials
photographic paper
Measurements
223 mm (H)135 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246743
Summary
A studio portrait presented as a cabinet card.
Full description
William McEwan is standing in between an empty chair and a table that is draped with and embroidered rug. He is wearing a dark jacket and paler trousers. His arms are folded and he is looking straight ahead. William McEwan was a Scottish Liberal Party Politician, philanthropist and brewer. He married Helen Anderson in 1885, their daughter, Margaret Helen Anderson (1863 - 1942) was a witness at the wedding. Acknowledging Margaret, as his daughter and sole heir established her in society, made her marriage to the Hon.Ronald Greville (1864 - 1908) acceptable and financed her life long role in society centred at Polesden Lacey and Charles Street, Mayfair. McEwan was born in 1827, the son of a ship owner. Educated at Alloa Academy he founded his brewery (1855/6) in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. McEwan made a fortune from selling beer in Scotland and the North of England. He married Helen Anderson in London in 1885. He served as Liberal MP for Central Edinburgh and completely financed the Graduation Hall at Edinburgh University. In 1907, he declined a peerage but accepted the post of Privy Counsellor. McEwan died in 1913.
Marks and inscriptions
ARTHUR MARX / HOFPHOTOGRAPH (printed on front)
Makers and roles
Arthur Marx [photographer], photographer