Bilbroughs

Bilbroughs provides a comprehensive biography of Arthur Bilbrough and his family, and a history of the shipping and insurance companies he was involved with. Born in Leeds in 1840, Arthur Bilbrough began his career in the Liverpool offices of Pilkington Wilson, owners of the White Star Line, but moved to London in 1862 where he gained considerable commercial success, initially as a result of his partnership with Henry Threlfell Wilson, and the purchase of four sailing ships, Albert William, Glendevon, Tornado and W H Haselton, clippers involved in the wool, grain and coal trade with Australia and America. He subsequently went into business with George Smith, a leading figure in literary circles, founder of the Pall Mall Gazette, and publisher of work by the Bronte sisters amongst others. In 1880 Arthur founded the New Mutual Marine Insurance Association, and in 1883 was elected a member of Lloyd's. The business continued to expand and in 1890 he bought the London Steamship Owners' Mutual Insurance Association and the British Shipowner's Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association Limited, which was to merge with The London P & I Club. Arthur died in 1925. He was succeeded by his son Kenneth who worked for the firm until retirement at the age of 69 in 1940. On the death of Kenneth in 1962, the family connection with A. Bilbrough & Co ceased. One of Arthur's other sons, Harold Ernest, had a distinguished ecclesiastical career.