Authors Andy Arthur
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Our story begins with Patrick Miller of Dalswinton. He was born in Glasgow, the third son of minor gentry; William Miller of Glenlee (not Sir William, baronet), a Writer to the Signet, and Janet Hamilton (pic National Galleries of Scotland) https://t.co/dEA1dBpWRk
Patrick attended the University of Glasgow, where he decided (or it was decided for him) to take up banking as a profession. By the age of 29 he was a partner in the firm of William Ramsay of Barnton (independently wealthy from money his father made in the Canongate inns trade)
Ramsay was also a merchant, and Patrick spent much time looking after the shipping business of the firm. He is said to have learned first hand the perils of the sea, sparking an insatiable interest in naval architecture.
By the age of 36, Patrick was elected to the Court of the Bank of Scotland, where he was a reformer and a pioneer - instituting the practice of accepting the promisory notes of competitor banks. Both he and the bank prospered. (pic NGS)
Miller invested his wealth wisely in the furnaces of the Scottish industrial revolution and became one of the largest shareholders in the Carron Iron Company, one of the largest iron works in Europe.
I have come across the *best* story. It has everything. Leith, a crackpot millionaire, fantastical paddle-powered Georgian warships, war in the Baltic, and the introduction of neeps to Scotland!
— Andy Arthur (@cocteautriplets) December 20, 2020
Patrick attended the University of Glasgow, where he decided (or it was decided for him) to take up banking as a profession. By the age of 29 he was a partner in the firm of William Ramsay of Barnton (independently wealthy from money his father made in the Canongate inns trade)
Ramsay was also a merchant, and Patrick spent much time looking after the shipping business of the firm. He is said to have learned first hand the perils of the sea, sparking an insatiable interest in naval architecture.
By the age of 36, Patrick was elected to the Court of the Bank of Scotland, where he was a reformer and a pioneer - instituting the practice of accepting the promisory notes of competitor banks. Both he and the bank prospered. (pic NGS)
Miller invested his wealth wisely in the furnaces of the Scottish industrial revolution and became one of the largest shareholders in the Carron Iron Company, one of the largest iron works in Europe.