Sir John Aird, 1st Baronet

Sir John Aird, 1st Baronet (3 December 1833 - 6 January 1911) was a notable English civil engineering contractor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He also served as Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Paddington North from 1887 to 1906, was the first Mayor of Paddington in 1900, and became an enthusiastic collector of British art.

Early life

Aird was the son of a former mason - also called John Aird (1806-1876) - who was superintendent of the Phoenix Gas Company's gasworks in Greenwich, south-east London before setting up his own contracting business, John Aird & Co., in 1848. On his 18th birthday in 1851, Aird junior joined the family firm – which subsequently traded as "John Aird & Sons" for a while. The business had initially focused on gas and water network installations, but soon expanded into more general building work.

Engineering career

John Aird's first significant scheme was the dismantling, transportation and re-erection of The Crystal Palace buildings from the 1851 Great Exhibition from central London's Hyde Park to Sydenham in south London.

Other company projects included the construction of reservoirs and of railways and docks work.

Aird became an associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1859.

After the firm merged with Lucas Brothers and his father's death John Aird junior became chief partner and the name of the business reverted to "John Aird & Co." in 1895.

Under Aird's leadership, the firm also became internationally famous for building the first Aswan Dam; the business was also later engaged to increase the height of the dam.

Political career

Aird served as Member of Parliament for Paddington North from 1887 to 1906.

Retirement

Aird was created a baronet on Lord Salisbury's recommendation on 5 March 1901. He died in January 1911 at his country home of Wilton Park in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire and he was buried at nearby Littleworth.

References

* [http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/holmes_portraits.pdf Holmes portraits]