Who's Who in Glasgow in 1909

Prefatory Note

THIS work has been prepared with the view of supplying, in readable and authentic form, an account of the chief personages engaged in carrying on affairs, professions, and businesses of public interest in the City of Glasgow and its neighbourhood to-day. It cannot, of course, profess to have included an account of every individual who might have a just claim to a place in such a category. The absence of several names must be attributed, not to editorial want of vigilance, but to the reluctance of the owners to allow themselves to appear in the records of distinction. As it stands, however, comprising nearly five hundred biographies, the volume affords a testimony, which may not be without value, to the astonishing variety and magnitude of the personal activities which make up the living greatness of Glasgow.

It is believed that the work will be found not only useful as a book of reference for everyone connected with the city at the present time, but also most valuable in the future as a compendium of contemporary history. In addition to their immediate personal interest, many of the biographies will be found to throw important and authentic light upon the developments of Glasgow enterprise. While modern histories for the most part deal academically with personages, events, and developments of the past, it is significant that ancient histories and records are now chiefly valued for their contemporary character. We should give a good deal to-day for exactly such a volume as this, compiled, say, two hundred years ago.

One of the chief difficulties of such a compilation arises from the rapidity with which circumstances change in the lives of individuals and the activities of a busy city. Since the work was first projected a number of notable figures in the life of Glasgow have, alas! passed away. The volume, however, has been made to include biographies of personages like Principal Story, Lord Kelvin, and Lord Overtoun, who were alive on 1st January, 1907, and every endeavour has been made to keep abreast with the changes of events up to date. But even while the sheets were being printed off, a number of circumstances have altered, too late for notice in their proper place. Professor Jack and Professor Cleland have resigned their chairs at the University, Dr. Hutchison has resigned the rectorship of the High School, and Mr. Cameron Corbett and Mr. Alexander Cross, M.P., have gone over from the Unionist to the Liberal side in Parliament; while Mr. John Mann, C.A., has received a notable presentation from the Western Friendly Society, and the Rev. Dr. Dobie, Mr. G. J. Kidston, and Mr. William M'Killop, M.P., have died.

In a production every line of which may be said to contain some separate detail of fact, it would be vain to expect that there should be no point to which exception could be taken; but every effort has been made to ensure authenticity, and whatever worthy names and circumstances may have escaped record, it is hoped that compiler and publishers will be credited with an honest desire to do justly by all.