William Weir, 1st Viscount Weir
- William Weir, 1st Viscount Weir
William Douglas Weir, 1st Viscount Weir GCB (1877 - 1959) was a Scottish industrialist born in Glasgow.
During World War I he converted his factories to produce explosive shells, and in 1919 he became Minister of Munitions.
He was made a Knight in 1917. In 1918 he became President of the Air Council and raised to the peerage as Baron Weir. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor in the same year.
In 1925 Weir headed a government committee to plan the rationalisation of the United Kingdom's electrical power industry, and his conclusions led to the "Electricity (Supply) Act 1926" and the creation of the National Grid.
In 1938 he was created Viscount Weir of Eastwood.
Archives
The archives of William Douglas Weir are maintained by the Archives of the University of Glasgow (GUAS).
References
* [http://www.halcyon.com/weir/weir.html "The name is Weir!", Bill Weir]
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
William Weir — may be:* William Alexander Weir (1858 1929), Quebec lawyer and politician * William Douglas Weir, 1st Viscount Weir (1877 1959), Scottish industrialist * William Gilbert Weir (1896 1971), Canadian politician * William Weir (Author) (born 1928),… … Wikipedia
Matthew White Ridley, 1st Viscount Ridley — The Right Honourable The Viscount Ridley PC, DL Home Secretary … Wikipedia
Viscount Weir — Viscount Weir, of Eastwood in the County of Renfrew, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1938 for the Scottish businessman, public servant, politician and former Secretary of State for Air William Douglas Weir. He… … Wikipedia
Viscount Cobham — is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1718 for Field Marshal Richard Temple, 1st Baron Cobham and 4th Baronet, of Stowe. The Viscount holds the subsidiary titles of Baron Cobham, of Cobham in the County of Kent, (1718),… … Wikipedia
Viscount Hawarden — is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1793 for Cornwallis Maude, 3rd Baronet, who had earlier represented Roscommon in the Irish House of Commons. He had succeeded his younger brother as third Baronet of Dundrum. He married Mary … Wikipedia
William IV of the United Kingdom — William IV William IV, painted by Sir Martin A … Wikipedia
Viscount Hereford — Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex and 2nd Viscount Hereford. Viscount Hereford is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1550 for Walter Devereux, 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. The Devereux family is of Norman descent and came to… … Wikipedia
Viscount Hill — Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill Viscount Hill, of Hawkstone and of Hardwicke in the County of Salop, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1842 for the soldier Rowland Hill, 1st Baron Hill, with remainder to the heirs … Wikipedia
Viscount of Arbuthnott — Viscountcy of Arbuthnott Creation date 16 November 1641 Created by King Charles I Peerage Peerage of Scotland First holder … Wikipedia
Dudley Marjoribanks, 1st Baron Tweedmouth — The Right Honourable The Lord Tweedmouth Member of Parliament for Berwick upon Tweed In office 1853 – May 1859 Preceded by John Stapleton and Matthew Forster Succeeded by … Wikipedia
