J. J. Bell-Irving
James Jardine Bell-Irving | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1859-12-24 Scotland |
| Died | 1936-06-08 London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman, council member |
| Years active | 1881–1902 |
| Known for | Partner and director of Jardine Matheson & Co., chairman of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, member of Executive and Legislative Councils of Hong Kong |
James Jardine Bell-Irving (24 December 1859 – 8 June 1936) was a Scottish entrepreneur who played a significant role in business activities across Hong Kong and China. He held positions on both the Executive Council and the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
He was born to John Bell-Irving and Mary Jardine, the latter being a niece of Dr. William Jardine and sister to Sir Robert Jardine. Bell-Irving was closely connected to the prominent trading house Jardine Matheson & Co., a dominant force in Far Eastern commerce. Arriving in China in 1881, he became a partner by 1887 and remained a director until 1902. His leadership extended to various public enterprises, including serving as chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
Between 1892 and 1901, he was appointed several times as an unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. In 1896, he became one of the inaugural unofficial members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, a role he fulfilled until retiring in 1902 and returning to England.
Following his retirement, Bell-Irving lived at Minto House in Hawick, Rokeby in Barnard Castle, and subsequently purchased the Makerstoun estate near Kelso. He passed away in London on 8 June 1936.
In 1890, he wed Eva Gertrude Piercy in Hong Kong. The couple had two daughters:
- Ethel Mary (born 1891), who married Ian Maitland, 15th Earl of Lauderdale
- Eva Margaretta (born 1893)