Background
His father James Wedderburn set up as a doctor without academic qualification.
governor of Rupert London governor
His father James Wedderburn set up as a doctor without academic qualification.
Many of the family moved to Jamaica. After 28 years James had become a wealthy slave-owner and sugar planter. Andrew was born in 1779.
Robert Wedderburn was probably Andrew"s half-brother.
Andrew remained in Europe, inherited his father"s estates and set up as a sugar broker (Wedderburn and Company). By 1810 he was on the HBC board and worked to rationalize the company"s administration.
In 1820 he was largely responsible for sending out Sir George Simpson to take charge of HBC affairs in Canada. During Simpson"s long administration (1820–1860) the two worked closely together, one in London business circles and the other in the wilds of Canada.