William Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie
The Viscount Pirrie | |
|---|---|
| Lord Lieutenant of Belfast | |
| In office 1911–1924 | |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Shaftesbury |
| Succeeded by | Sir Thomas Dixon |
| Lord Mayor of Belfast | |
| In office 1896–1898 | |
| Preceded by | William McCammond |
| Succeeded by | James Henderson |
| Senator | |
| In office 1921–1924 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 May 1847 |
| Died | 7 June 1924 (aged 77) RMS Ebro, Atlanic Ocean |
| Resting place | Belfast City Cemetery |
| Spouse | |
| Relatives | J. M. Andrews (nephew) Thomas Andrews (nephew) Sir James Andrews, 1st Baronet (nephew) Alexander Carlisle (brother-in-law) |
| Occupation | Shipbuilder, businessman |
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William James Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie (31 May 1847 – 7 June 1924) was a leading British shipbuilder and businessman. He was chairman of Harland & Wolff, shipbuilders, between 1895 and 1924, and also served as Lord Mayor of Belfast between 1896 and 1898. He was ennobled as Baron Pirrie in 1906, appointed a Knight of the Order of St Patrick in 1908 and made Viscount Pirrie in 1921. Lord Pirrie was involved in the building of the Olympic-class ocean liners, along with his nephew Thomas Andrews. In Belfast, he was already a controversial figure: a Protestant employer associated as a leading Liberal with a policy of Home Rule for Ireland.