Robert Gordon Shewan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theLegislative Council of Hong Kong | |
| In office 23 June 1902 – 7 December 1905 | |
| Appointed by | SirHenry Arthur Blake |
| Preceded by | T. H. Whitehead |
| Succeeded by | E. A. Hewett |
| In office 25 May 1917 – 27 December 1917 | |
| Appointed by | SirFrancis Henry May |
| Preceded by | Edward Shellim |
| In office 1 January 1919 – 23 December 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Shellim |
| Succeeded by | S. H. Dodwell |
| Chairman of theHongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation | |
| In office February 1902 – February 1903 | |
| Preceded by | James Johnstone Keswick |
| Succeeded by | A. J. Raymond |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1859-11-13)13 November 1859 |
| Died | 14 February 1934(1934-02-14) (aged 74) |
| Resting place | Hong Kong Cemetery |
| Spouse | Dorothy "Dolly" |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Robert Gordon Shewan (13 November 1859 – 14 February 1934) was a Scottish businessman inHong Kong.
Robert and his twin brother William were born in London on 13 November 1859.[1] They were sons of Andrew Shewan (1820–1873), a master mariner, and Jane (née Thomson) Shewan (1822–1886).[1]
Shewan arrived in Hong Kong in 1881, in the employ ofRussell & Company, which was then one of the largest mercantile companies in the Far East. He andCharles Alexander Tomes, who was a grandson of merchantDavid Hadden, acquired the infrastructure of that firm subsequent to its dissolution in 1891, and consequently createdShewan, Tomes & Co. in 1895.[2] The new company formed theGreen Island Cement Company and theChina Light and Power Company, which generated electricity for Kowloon. He was subsequently dismissed from the latter by its principal shareholder, theKadoorie family. Shewan was also the director of theHongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and of many other local companies.[3]
In 1902, Shewan was elected as the representative of theHong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in theLegislative Council.[4] He also served as Consul for Chile at Hong Kong.[1] Shewan was unsympathetic to theCanton-Hong Kong strike in 1925: he told theDaily Press that employers should punish those of their Chinese labourers who went on strike. He also posted a notice to his office clerks that stated that those who left and did not return by the next morning would be permanently dismissed.[5]
Shewan was married to Dorothy "Dolly" Kate Lucas (d. 1961), who was a daughter of William Lucas and former wife of James Marke Wood.
Shewan died on 14 February 1934. He was buried at theHong Kong Cemetery inHappy Valley, Hong Kong.[6]
| Business positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chairman ofHongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation 1902–1903 | Succeeded by |
| Legislative Council of Hong Kong | ||
| Preceded by | Unofficial Member Representative forHong Kong General Chamber of Commerce 1902–1905 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Unofficial Member 1917 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Unofficial Member 1919 | Succeeded by |
