Background
He was born 16 December 1838 in Magdeburg, Prussia He emigrated to England and worked for a coal export concern before building up a fleet of colliers and founding the Ropner Shipping Company in Hartlepool in 1874.
Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom
He was born 16 December 1838 in Magdeburg, Prussia He emigrated to England and worked for a coal export concern before building up a fleet of colliers and founding the Ropner Shipping Company in Hartlepool in 1874.
He was known simply as Robert Ropner. In 1888 Robert Ropner acquired a shipyard at Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham. Ropner established a successful shipbuilding firm, which built many trunk deck ships.
Number longer limited to hauling coal, Ropner also established a company to operate tramp steamers.
Although the shipyard went into liquidation soon after what was then known as the Great War, the shipping company continued to operate through both World Wars, despite heavy wartime losses of vessels. Robert Ropner served as High Sheriff of Durham in 1896 and from 1900 to 1910 represented the constituency of Stockton-on-Tees in the House of Commons.
Having been knighted in 1902, he was created Baronet of Preston Hall, Stockton-on-Tees, in the County Palatine of Durham, and of Skutterskelfe Hall, Hutton Rudby, in the North Riding of York on 20 August 1904. Robert Ropner is buried in the family vault at All Saints churchyard, Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire.
27th United Kingdom Parliament. 28th United Kingdom Parliament.