Sir John Pirie, 1st Baronet explained

Honorific Suffix:Bt
Sir John Pirie
Death Place:Champion Hill, Camberwell, London
Resting Place:West Norwood Cemetery
Occupation:Shipbroker
Known For:Financing establishment of South Australia
Office:Lord Mayor of London
Term:1841–1842
Office2:Sheriff of London
Term2:1831–1832
Children:none

Sir John Pirie, 1st Baronet (1781 – 26 February 1851), was a British shipbroker and Lord Mayor of London. He was the largest shipbroker in London.[1]

In the 1830s he started to uphold Wakefield's principles and became a founding director, and one of the largest financiers, of the South Australian Company.[2] He was also a director of the New Zealand Company,[3] and the East India Company.[4]

One of the first three ships despatched in 1836 to found the new colony of South Australia was the 105-ton two-masted schooner named John Pirie.[1]

Pirie was elected Sheriff of London for 1831–32 and Lord Mayor for 1841–42. He was created a baronet, of Camberwell in the County of Surrey, in 1842 on his retirement as Lord Mayor.

Pirie had no children and died at Champion Hill, Camberwell on 26 February 1851. Although he was a past director of City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Co he was buried at West Norwood Cemetery. The title died with him.[1]

Pirie Street in Adelaide and the city of Port Pirie were also named after him.

Notes and References

  1. http://historysouthaustralia.net/STlist5.htm Streets Named on 23 May 1837
  2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31749623 The South Australian Company
  3. http://www.enzb.auckland.ac.nz/document/?wid=3327 Court of Directors
  4. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/james-barber/the-court-of-directors-of-the-east-india-company-versus-her-majestys-ministers-ala/page-2-the-court-of-directors-of-the-east-india-company-versus-her-majestys-ministers-ala.shtml The court of directors of the East India Company versus Her Majesty's Ministers