William Ramsay (manufacturer)

William Ramsay (6 June 1868 โ€“ 4 September 1914) was a Scottish-born Australian shoe polish manufacturer. In 1906, Ramsay developed "Kiwi" brand shoe polish, today one of the most famous shoe polish brands in the world.

William Ramsay
Born6 June 1868 (1868-06-06)
Glasgow, Scotland
Died4 September 1914 (1914-09-05) (aged 46)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation(s)Inventor, manufacturer, businessman
RelativesSir John Ramsay (brother), Hugh Ramsay (brother), Robin Ramsay (grandson)

Biography

Ramsay was born on 6 June 1868 in Glasgow, Scotland to Margaret Thomson and her husband, businessman John Ramsay. The family migrated to Melbourne in June 1878.[1] The family prospered in Victoria; Ramsay's father, John, was a die-sinker and engraver in Scotland, however he became a successful real estate broker in his adopted homeland. After he left school, Ramsay set up a successful real estate firm with his father.

After a trip to New Zealand, where he met and married Annie Elizabeth Meek in Oamaru on 2 January 1901, Ramsay established a factory in Carlton in partnership with Hamilton McKellar. From there, Ramsay & McKellar produced disinfectants, polishes, creams, and other products.

In 1904 the factory moved to Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. In 1906, they began producing a new shoe polish under the trademark "Kiwi". The polish, which would become successful in Australia within a few years, was named in honour of Annie Ramsay's New Zealand heritage. In 1912, after McKellar had left the company, Ramsay's father established a branch of Kiwi Polish Co. in London. In 1913 Ramsay visited Europe to promote the brand.

Ramsay died of cancer on 4 September 1914 in the family home at Essendon, in Melbourne. He was survived by his wife, Annie, and their two sons. His father died on 3 March 1924.

Family in the business

Ramsay's wife Annie took over as Chair of Kiwi from 1924 to 1933.[1]

His elder son John (1904-1966) joined the company in 1921, became Managing Director in 1928, and later Chairman.[1]

His younger son, Sir Thomas Meek Ramsay[2] (b.1907)[1] graduated in science at the University of Melbourne[3] and joined the company as consulting chemist in 1926. In 1956 became Managing Director.[1] He married Alice James,[4] and their son is actor Robin Ramsay, whom he disowned.[2]

Other family

Two of Ramsay's brothers went on to achieve notability: Sir John Ramsay as a surgeon and cricketer, and Hugh Ramsay as an artist. It was largely William's wealth that helped to fund a large art bequest created by John's son James.[5][6]

References

  1. Birchall, Ida (1988). "Ramsay, Sir John (1872โ€“1944)". Australian Dictionary of Biography (Volume 11 ed.). Melbourne University Press. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  2. "John Olday's Memoirs: The Australian Period - Bob James". Takver's Initiatives. 2 February 1998. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  3. "Family fortunes: The Ramsay family". Australian Financial Review. 12 May 1989. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  4. Grounds, Marr (30 March 2015). "Interview with Marr Grounds" (transcript) (Interview). Art Gallery of New South Wales Archive: Balnaves Foundation Australian Sculpture Archive Project. Interviewed by Edwards, Deborah. Balnaves Foundation. Art Gallery of NSW. This is an edited transcript of a recorded interview.
  5. "The Ramsay's legacy". Philanthropy Australia. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  6. "Remarkable bequest from arts patrons in Adelaide inspired by legendary philanthropy". Philanthropy Australia. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  • "Ramsay, William (1868โ€“1914)", Australian Dictionary of Biography (available online)
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