Sir Henry Meux, 1st Baronet
Sir Henry Meux, 1st Baronet | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | April 7, 1841 (aged 70) |
| Occupation(s) | Brewer, Businessman |
| Known for | Proprietor of the London brewery that evolved into the Meux Brewery; founder of Henry Meux & Co. |
Sir Henry Meux, 1st Baronet (pronounced "Mews") (8 May 1770 – 7 April 1841) was a British brewer and proprietor of the London brewery that evolved into the Meux Brewery.
Early life
Baptised on 8 May 1770, Meux was the second son of Richard Meux (circa 1734–1813), a brewer, and Mary (née Brougham) Meux (circa 1744–1812). His older brother Richard Meux passed away in 1824, leaving behind a daughter, Elizabeth Meux, who wed Thomas Starling Benson of Champion Lodge. Their offspring included notable individuals such as Richard Meux Benson and General Henry Roxby Benson. Another sibling, Fanny Meux, became the wife of Vicesimus Knox.
The Meux lineage traces back to an established family from the Isle of Wight. Among their ancestors was Sir John Meux, who served as MP for Newtown and was granted a baronetcy in 1641; this title became extinct in 1705. On his maternal side, Sir Henry’s grandfather was Henry Brougham of Brougham Hall, Cumbria, while his uncle Henry Brougham fathered Lord Brougham and Vaux.
Career
Henry Meux received his brewing education under his father, proprietor of the Griffin Brewery located in Clerkenwell, London. In 1795, his father commissioned a colossal vat capable of holding 20,000 barrels at an expense of £10,000. After a dispute in 1809, Meux parted ways with his father’s enterprise and purchased the Horse Shoe Brewery situated in the City of Westminster, which had been founded in 1764. He rebranded it as "Henry Meux & Co.," transforming it into a prominent producer of porter. The brewery was notably the site of the London Beer Flood in 1814, when a porter vat ruptured causing eight deaths. Following Sir Henry’s death in 1841, management passed to his son.
On 30 September 1831, he was granted the title of baronet of Theobald's Park.
Personal life
Meux married Elizabeth-Mary Smith of Castlebar House, Middlesex on 1 November 1816. They had four children: one son and three daughters:
- Sir Henry Meux, 2nd Baronet (1817–1883), who married Lady Louisa Caroline Brudenell-Bruce, daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Ailesbury.
- Elizabeth Mary Meux (1819–1880), who wed her cousin Richard Arabin.
- Marianne Frances Meux (died 1875), spouse of Sir William Bowyer-Smijth, 11th Baronet.
- Emma Martha Meux (1822–1905), married Arthur de Vere Capell, Viscount Malden.
Sir Henry passed away at Theobald's Park on 7 April 1841 and was succeeded by his son Henry. His widow died on 18 September 1851.
Descendants
His only son Henry fathered Sir Henry Bruce Meux, 3rd Baronet, who married socialite Valerie Langdon.
Through daughter Elizabeth, he was grandfather to William St Julien Arabin; Alice Charlotte Arabin, who married Hon. Arthur Charles Lewin Cadogan (son of the 4th Earl Cadogan); and Marianne Elizabeth Arabin, wife of John William Gordon Woodford (son of Sir Alexander George Woodford).
Daughter Marianne’s lineage included diplomat Sir William Bowyer-Smijth, 12th Baronet, who died unmarried.
His youngest daughter Emma was mother to George Capell, 7th Earl of Essex, known for marrying American heiress Adele Beach Grant.
Notes
References
External links
- Sir Henry Meux, 1st Baronet featured at the National Portrait Gallery, London