Old Photograph John Laird Scotland

Old photograph of John Laird, born 14 June 1805 in Greenock by Glasgow, Scotland. John was a Scottish shipbuilder and key figure in the development of the town of Birkenhead, England. He was the elder brother of Macgregor Laird. He was one of the first to use iron in the construction of ships. He was the eldest son of Scottish entrepreneur, William Laird and Agnes Macgregor. In the same year the Lairds moved to Liverpool. John was educated at Liverpool Royal Institution. In 1824 the Laird family moved to Birkenhead, where William Laird and Daniel Horton established the Birkenhead Iron Works. This manufactured boilers near Wallasey Pool. This partnership was dissolved in 1828 and William Laird was joined in his business by John Laird, who had been a solicitor's articled clerk. The company was renamed William Laird & Son. In 1829 Laird married Elizabeth Hurry. In 1860, John Laird was joined in partnership by his three sons, William, John and Henry. However, John Laird retired in 1861 and the business was taken over by his sons. It merged with Charles Cammell & Co to form Cammell Laird in 1903. John died at his home, 63 Hamilton Square, Birkenhead on 29 October 1874, following a riding accident. He is buried in the grounds of Birkenhead Priory, next to his yard.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.