Arthur Wilson (1836 – 1909) was a prominent English ship-owner who is best known for playing host to his friend Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, at his home Tranby Croft, the scene of the royal baccarat scandal.
Arthur Wilson was born on 14 December 1836 in Hull, Yorkshire. His father was Thomas Wilson, owner of the Thomas Wilson Sons & Co. shipping business. Like his brother, he was educated at Kingston College in Hull. His brother was Charles Wilson, who was later created Baron Nunburnholme.
He was associated with his brother Charles throughout his life, and became the head of the business after his brother's death in 1907. Before this, he served as director of the North Eastern Railway, and chairman of the shipping committee of the Hull Chamber of Commerce. He was High Sheriff of Yorkshire for 1891.
In 1874, the Wilsons built Tranby Croft having previously lived in central Hull before renting Wolfreton Grange in Kirk Ella. From 1875, they took a townhouse in London, first renting 28 Hyde Park Street. From the mid-1880s they rented 13 Grosvenor Crescent until they acquired 17 Grosvenor Place in 1890 where they gained a reputation for hosting lavish parties. This building now serves as the embassy of Ireland. In 1904, they built the Villa Maryland at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the Côte d'Azur which marked the pinnacle of their social success, hosting among others Prince Francis of Teck, the Earl and Countess of Darnley, and the Duke of Connaught.
Arthur Wilson is best remembered for playing host, at Tranby Croft in 1890, to Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. During the Prince's stay, one of the party, William Gordon-Cumming, was accused of cheating at the game of baccarat. Baccarat was illegal in England at the time. Several members of Wilson's household at Tranby Croft claimed to have independently witnessed Gordon-Cumming cheating at the game, and when this was brought to the attention of the Prince, Gordon-Cumming signed a document promising never to play cards in the future. This event remained secret for a time, but it was revealed to the press in early 1891. As a result, Gordon-Cumming attempted to bring the accusers, including Wilson, to trial on the charge of defamation.
Gordon-Cumming lost the court case, but it brought the Prince much bad publicity, and he never returned to Tranby Croft.
Wilson's son Arthur entered Parliament as a Unionist for the Holderness division of Yorkshire in 1900. Wilson himself was active in protecting the Liberal interest in Yorkshire, but spoke against Gladstone's Home Rule bill, and joined the Liberal Unionists. In 1909, he spoke in favour of tariff reform.
Wilson died of cancer in 1909, two years after taking charge of the shipping business.
He was a generous benefactor to Hull, and is especially remembered for the Victoria Children's Hospital, for which he served as chairman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wilson_(shipping_magnate)
https://househistree.com/people/arthur-wilson
Arthur Wilson was born on 14 December 1836 in Hull, Yorkshire. His father was Thomas Wilson, owner of the Thomas Wilson Sons & Co. shipping business. Like his brother, he was educated at Kingston College in Hull. His brother was Charles Wilson, who was later created Baron Nunburnholme.
He was associated with his brother Charles throughout his life, and became the head of the business after his brother's death in 1907. Before this, he served as director of the North Eastern Railway, and chairman of the shipping committee of the Hull Chamber of Commerce. He was High Sheriff of Yorkshire for 1891.
In 1874, the Wilsons built Tranby Croft having previously lived in central Hull before renting Wolfreton Grange in Kirk Ella. From 1875, they took a townhouse in London, first renting 28 Hyde Park Street. From the mid-1880s they rented 13 Grosvenor Crescent until they acquired 17 Grosvenor Place in 1890 where they gained a reputation for hosting lavish parties. This building now serves as the embassy of Ireland. In 1904, they built the Villa Maryland at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the Côte d'Azur which marked the pinnacle of their social success, hosting among others Prince Francis of Teck, the Earl and Countess of Darnley, and the Duke of Connaught.
Arthur Wilson is best remembered for playing host, at Tranby Croft in 1890, to Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. During the Prince's stay, one of the party, William Gordon-Cumming, was accused of cheating at the game of baccarat. Baccarat was illegal in England at the time. Several members of Wilson's household at Tranby Croft claimed to have independently witnessed Gordon-Cumming cheating at the game, and when this was brought to the attention of the Prince, Gordon-Cumming signed a document promising never to play cards in the future. This event remained secret for a time, but it was revealed to the press in early 1891. As a result, Gordon-Cumming attempted to bring the accusers, including Wilson, to trial on the charge of defamation.
Gordon-Cumming lost the court case, but it brought the Prince much bad publicity, and he never returned to Tranby Croft.
Wilson's son Arthur entered Parliament as a Unionist for the Holderness division of Yorkshire in 1900. Wilson himself was active in protecting the Liberal interest in Yorkshire, but spoke against Gladstone's Home Rule bill, and joined the Liberal Unionists. In 1909, he spoke in favour of tariff reform.
Wilson died of cancer in 1909, two years after taking charge of the shipping business.
He was a generous benefactor to Hull, and is especially remembered for the Victoria Children's Hospital, for which he served as chairman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wilson_(shipping_magnate)
https://househistree.com/people/arthur-wilson
Arthur Wilson (1836 – 1909) was a prominent English ship-owner who is best known for playing host to his friend Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, at his home Tranby Croft, the scene of the royal baccarat scandal.
Arthur Wilson was born on 14 December 1836 in Hull, Yorkshire. His father was Thomas Wilson, owner of the Thomas Wilson Sons & Co. shipping business. Like his brother, he was educated at Kingston College in Hull. His brother was Charles Wilson, who was later created Baron Nunburnholme.
He was associated with his brother Charles throughout his life, and became the head of the business after his brother's death in 1907. Before this, he served as director of the North Eastern Railway, and chairman of the shipping committee of the Hull Chamber of Commerce. He was High Sheriff of Yorkshire for 1891.
In 1874, the Wilsons built Tranby Croft having previously lived in central Hull before renting Wolfreton Grange in Kirk Ella. From 1875, they took a townhouse in London, first renting 28 Hyde Park Street. From the mid-1880s they rented 13 Grosvenor Crescent until they acquired 17 Grosvenor Place in 1890 where they gained a reputation for hosting lavish parties. This building now serves as the embassy of Ireland. In 1904, they built the Villa Maryland at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the Côte d'Azur which marked the pinnacle of their social success, hosting among others Prince Francis of Teck, the Earl and Countess of Darnley, and the Duke of Connaught.
Arthur Wilson is best remembered for playing host, at Tranby Croft in 1890, to Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. During the Prince's stay, one of the party, William Gordon-Cumming, was accused of cheating at the game of baccarat. Baccarat was illegal in England at the time. Several members of Wilson's household at Tranby Croft claimed to have independently witnessed Gordon-Cumming cheating at the game, and when this was brought to the attention of the Prince, Gordon-Cumming signed a document promising never to play cards in the future. This event remained secret for a time, but it was revealed to the press in early 1891. As a result, Gordon-Cumming attempted to bring the accusers, including Wilson, to trial on the charge of defamation.
Gordon-Cumming lost the court case, but it brought the Prince much bad publicity, and he never returned to Tranby Croft.
Wilson's son Arthur entered Parliament as a Unionist for the Holderness division of Yorkshire in 1900. Wilson himself was active in protecting the Liberal interest in Yorkshire, but spoke against Gladstone's Home Rule bill, and joined the Liberal Unionists. In 1909, he spoke in favour of tariff reform.
Wilson died of cancer in 1909, two years after taking charge of the shipping business.
He was a generous benefactor to Hull, and is especially remembered for the Victoria Children's Hospital, for which he served as chairman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wilson_(shipping_magnate)
https://househistree.com/people/arthur-wilson
Arthur Wilson was born on 14 December 1836 in Hull, Yorkshire. His father was Thomas Wilson, owner of the Thomas Wilson Sons & Co. shipping business. Like his brother, he was educated at Kingston College in Hull. His brother was Charles Wilson, who was later created Baron Nunburnholme.
He was associated with his brother Charles throughout his life, and became the head of the business after his brother's death in 1907. Before this, he served as director of the North Eastern Railway, and chairman of the shipping committee of the Hull Chamber of Commerce. He was High Sheriff of Yorkshire for 1891.
In 1874, the Wilsons built Tranby Croft having previously lived in central Hull before renting Wolfreton Grange in Kirk Ella. From 1875, they took a townhouse in London, first renting 28 Hyde Park Street. From the mid-1880s they rented 13 Grosvenor Crescent until they acquired 17 Grosvenor Place in 1890 where they gained a reputation for hosting lavish parties. This building now serves as the embassy of Ireland. In 1904, they built the Villa Maryland at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the Côte d'Azur which marked the pinnacle of their social success, hosting among others Prince Francis of Teck, the Earl and Countess of Darnley, and the Duke of Connaught.
Arthur Wilson is best remembered for playing host, at Tranby Croft in 1890, to Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. During the Prince's stay, one of the party, William Gordon-Cumming, was accused of cheating at the game of baccarat. Baccarat was illegal in England at the time. Several members of Wilson's household at Tranby Croft claimed to have independently witnessed Gordon-Cumming cheating at the game, and when this was brought to the attention of the Prince, Gordon-Cumming signed a document promising never to play cards in the future. This event remained secret for a time, but it was revealed to the press in early 1891. As a result, Gordon-Cumming attempted to bring the accusers, including Wilson, to trial on the charge of defamation.
Gordon-Cumming lost the court case, but it brought the Prince much bad publicity, and he never returned to Tranby Croft.
Wilson's son Arthur entered Parliament as a Unionist for the Holderness division of Yorkshire in 1900. Wilson himself was active in protecting the Liberal interest in Yorkshire, but spoke against Gladstone's Home Rule bill, and joined the Liberal Unionists. In 1909, he spoke in favour of tariff reform.
Wilson died of cancer in 1909, two years after taking charge of the shipping business.
He was a generous benefactor to Hull, and is especially remembered for the Victoria Children's Hospital, for which he served as chairman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wilson_(shipping_magnate)
https://househistree.com/people/arthur-wilson
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