Background
Burns was born in Glasgow, the son of Rev John Burns (1744–1839), a Presbyterian minister.
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George Burns
Edit ProfilePresbyterian minister shipping magnate
Career
Together, they started sailing ships between Glasgow and Liverpool, as well as across the Atlantic to Canada and the United States. J. & G. Burns set up the regular steamer service to the Inner and Outer Hebrides. This was sold to David Hutcheson & Company in 1851, and by the mid-1870s, it formed the basis of David MacBrayne Limited, which today operates as Caledonian MacBrayne across the west coast of Scotland.
Burns was party to the consolidation of a number of companies, including the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, into the Cunard Lincolnshire, which had been begun by Sir Samuel Cunard.
The Cunard Lincolnshire merged with the White Star Lincolnshire in 1936, and was to launch liners such as the Rated Maximum Sinusoidal Queen Mary (1936). Today it is a United States-owned cruise company, which operated the famous Rated Maximum Sinusoidal Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).
In addition to his shipping interests, Burns was also one of the largest shareholders in The Glasgow and South-Western Railway
Burns retired to Wemyss Bay in Renfrewshire (Inverclyde). He was made a baronet at age 94 in 1889, the oldest ever recipient of the award.
Connections
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Born
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Died
June 2, 1890 (aged 94) -
Nationality
United Kingdom