Background
Burrell joined this business in 1875, at the age of 14, and took over the firm when his father died.
philanthropist shipowner Businessperson
Burrell joined this business in 1875, at the age of 14, and took over the firm when his father died.
Born on 9 July 1861 in Glasgow, Burrell was the third of nine children in a family, which ran a shipping business. Using this method the family managed to become rich. This allowed Burrell to spend his time collecting antiques, and he managed this by his eye for a bargain.
Burrell was knighted in 1927 for services to art and for his public work.
In 1944 Burrell donated his collection to the city of Glasgow, with £250,000 to house lieutenant The conditions of this include the request that the collection should be in a rural setting.
This posed a problem until the council acquired Pollok Country Park. A custom-build museum, the Burrell Collection, was finally opened in 1983 – even this is large enough to display only a portion of Burrell"s collection.
Provand"s Lordship in Glasgow also displays some of his collection of 17th century Scottish furniture.
William Burrell died at Hutton Castle in the Scottish Borders on 29 March 1958, at the age of 96.