Arthur Wilson (1836-1909)
Deputy Chairman of the Wilson Shipping Line, Hull; High Sheriff of Yorkshire
Father
Associated Houses
He was born at Hull and educated there at Kingston College. In 1869, his elder brother, Charles (later 1st Baron Nunburnholme of Warter Priory) succeeded their father as head of the Thomas Wilson & Sons Shipping Line. Arthur worked closely alongside his brother and together they continued to grow the business. When Charles died in 1907, Arthur succeeded him. He was Chairman of the Hull Chamber of Commerce, Sheriff of Hull (1888), and a director of the North Eastern Railway.
His wife's biography from the de Laszlo Collection states: "The social ascent of the Wilson family was one of the greatest of the Victorian era". Arthur won his popularity with the local gentry by becoming Master of the Holderness Hunt in 1878 - "a role no one else wanted to take on, as it meant pouring money into a declining organisation". He held the position for 25-years and as a mark of his societal success he was made High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1891. By then, the Wilsons had become "tremendously" rich but they were not too proud to forgot their roots: "they were the benefactors of numerous churches and charities, and did much for the destitute people of Hull. Mrs Wilson was notably involved with the Victoria Children’s Hospital, and tirelessly raised funds for the institution".
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. 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. Although Arthur's reputation came out unscathed, his name is forever associated with the Royal Baccarat Scandal when one of his guests cheated the Prince of Wales while staying at Tranby Croft in 1890. Arthur and his socially ambitious wife, Mary Smith, had seven children.
His wife's biography from the de Laszlo Collection states: "The social ascent of the Wilson family was one of the greatest of the Victorian era". Arthur won his popularity with the local gentry by becoming Master of the Holderness Hunt in 1878 - "a role no one else wanted to take on, as it meant pouring money into a declining organisation". He held the position for 25-years and as a mark of his societal success he was made High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1891. By then, the Wilsons had become "tremendously" rich but they were not too proud to forgot their roots: "they were the benefactors of numerous churches and charities, and did much for the destitute people of Hull. Mrs Wilson was notably involved with the Victoria Children’s Hospital, and tirelessly raised funds for the institution".
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. 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. Although Arthur's reputation came out unscathed, his name is forever associated with the Royal Baccarat Scandal when one of his guests cheated the Prince of Wales while staying at Tranby Croft in 1890. Arthur and his socially ambitious wife, Mary Smith, had seven children.
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Contributed by Mark Meredith on 01/10/2019 and last updated on 27/01/2023.