William Ramsay (manufacturer)
William Ramsay (6 June 1868 – 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 | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 June 1868 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 4 September 1914 (aged 46) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor, manufacturer, businessman |
| Relatives | Sir 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
- Birchall, Ida (1988). "Ramsay, Sir John (1872–1944)". Australian Dictionary of Biography (Volume 11 ed.). Melbourne University Press. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
- "John Olday's Memoirs: The Australian Period - Bob James". Takver's Initiatives. 2 February 1998. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- "Family fortunes: The Ramsay family". Australian Financial Review. 12 May 1989. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- 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.
- "The Ramsay's legacy". Philanthropy Australia. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- "Remarkable bequest from arts patrons in Adelaide inspired by legendary philanthropy". Philanthropy Australia. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- "Ramsay, William (1868–1914)", Australian Dictionary of Biography (available online)