Andrew Weir, 1st Baron Inverforth,PC (24 April 1865 – 17 September 1955) created and headed the firm of Andrew Weir and Co. shipowners ofGlasgow. In theFirst World War he served as a minister in thecoalition government: he was Surveyor General of Supplies[1][2] from 1917 to 1919, andMinister of Munitions from 1919 to 1921.
Andrew Weir was born inKirkcaldy, Fife the eldest son of William Weir and his wife Janet. Both William Weir and his father were cork merchants. Weir married Anne Dowie (d. 1941) in 1889, daughter of Thomas Kay Dowie. They had five daughters and one son, all born between 1891 and 1902.
After attending theKirkcaldy High School, Andrew went to work for theCommercial Bank of Scotland. He soon moved toGlasgow. Shortly after his twentieth birthday, he bought a sailing ship, thebarqueWillowbank, which he employed in the coasting trade. The next year Weir began building sailing ships of modern design and within a few years had built up a fleet of 52. In 1896 Weir moved to London and started converting his fleet from sail to steam. In 1905 he established theBank Line, which became the leading British shipping line.
During theFirst World War in March 1917 Weir was asked to report on the commercial organization of the supply branches of the army. Weir recommended the appointment of a surveyor-general of supply, with a seat on the army council, to take over the task of supplying the army with all its stores and equipment other than munitions. His recommendations were accepted and he was given the job.
In January 1919, after the war had ended, he was appointedMinister of Munitions to close down the supply operation and dispose of unwanted materiel. He remained in office until March 1921. For his services Weir was raised to the peerage asBaron Inverforth, ofSouthgate in the County ofMiddlesex on 5 February 1919,[3] and received theAmerican Distinguished Service Medal.[4]
After the war Lord Inverforth invested in diesel-powered ships. He also broadened his business interests, becoming involved in the Marconi group of companies. He was also chairman of the Anglo-Burma Rice Company and of the Wilmer Grain Company, and was also on the board ofLloyds Bank.[citation needed]
Inverforth continued to go to the office four days a week, into his ninety-first year. He died at his home,Inverforth House inHampstead, on 17 September 1955.[citation needed].
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| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Minister of Munitions 1919–1921 | Office abolished |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| New creation | Baron Inverforth 1919–1955 | Succeeded by |
