Sir William Henderson, Lord Provost of Aberdeen (1886-89)

Artist Sir George Reid (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1841 - 1913)

Sitter Sir William Henderson (Aberdour, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 1826 - 1904)

Date1899

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 240 cm, Width: 148.5 cm
Frame: Height: 289 cm, Width: 198 cm

AcquisitionOwned by Aberdeen City Council under the curatorial care of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDCC001034

Keywords

Provostal

About MeSir William Henderson (1826-1904) was a Scottish merchant and philanthropist.

He was born in Aberdour, Aberdeenshire, the son of a farmer, and his first job was a junior position in the Fraserburgh branch of the North of Scotland Bank. However, he soon moved to Aberdeen to work for the Aberdeen White Star Line, founded in 1825 by George Thompson, a ship-owning company whose fleet of Aberdeen clippers included the Thermopylae. He travelled widely on the firm's business, and in 1886 he became senior partner of the firm, on the retirement of George Thompson. This was a time of great change as sailing ships were replaced by steamships.

Mr Henderson entered Aberdeen Town Council in 1885, and in November 1886 was elected Lord Provost, serving until 1889. While on the council, he was instrumental in causing the rebuilding of the Royal Infirmary to commemorate Queen Victoria's jubilee in 1887, and the erection of the Public Library buildings on Rosemount Viaduct. Politically, he was a Liberal. On his retirement as Lord Provost, he was appointed a permanent Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.

He was an active member of the Free Church of Scotland, and involved in many philanthropical endeavours. He was knighted in June 1893, and in 1895 awarded an honorary degree of LL.D. by Aberdeen University.

In 1852 he married a daughter of George Thompson, and they had 5 sons and 5 daughters. From 1857 they resided at Devanha House.

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Son of a farmer, Sir William Henderson managed to work his way up to Lord Provost. While on the Council, he was instrumental in the rebuilding of the Royal Infirmary.