Baron Margadale

Baron Margadale, of Islay in the County of Argyll, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1965 for the Conservative politician John Morrison. As of 2007 the title is held by his grandson, the third Baron, who succeeded his father in 2003. The barony of Margadale is the latest hereditary barony given to a non-Royal.

The family seat is Fonthill House, Wiltshire.

Barons Margadale (1965)

* John Granville Morrison, 1st Baron Margadale (1906-1996)
* James Ian Morrison, 2nd Baron Margadale (1930-2003)
* Alastair John Morrison, 3rd Baron Margadale (b. 1958)

The Heir Apparent is the present holder's son Hon. Declan James Morrison (b 11 July 1993)

Origins of family wealth

James Morrison, great-grandfather of the 1st Baron Margadale, was a Hampshire innkeeper's son who became the greatest textile wholesaler in England and a prominent merchant banker. He left circa £4 million in 1857, the second largest non-landed fortune in Britain up to that time after Nathan M. Rothschild's £5 million. James's son Charles Morrison continued in the same lines of business, and left £10.9 million in 1909, which was the largest British estate for probate purposes up to that time. He was probably the second richest man in Britain at his death, after the Duke of Westminster. (All Rubinstein, "Men of Wealth" pages 59-60)

References

*Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). "Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage" (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
* [http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/ Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page] #
*Rubinstein, W.D. "Men of Property" (2006), ISBN 1-904863-12-4