William Birkinshaw Wilkinson
William Birkinshaw Wilkinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age England |
| Died | January 11, 1927 (aged 72) North Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, real estate agent |
| Years active | circa 1875–1922 |
| Known for | Prominent South Australian businessman; Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society; founder and partner in Wilkinson, Harrison, & Porter; founder and president of multiple business and community organizations |
William Birkinshaw Wilkinson (23 May 1854 – 11 January 1927), commonly referred to as W. B. Wilkinson, was a prominent businessman in South Australia and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
History
Wilkinson was born and educated in England before relocating from Pendleton, City of Salford to South Australia circa 1875 due to health concerns. His early career included employment at the National Bank of Australasia. Subsequently, he co-established the firm Davey & Wilkinson, operating in Redhill and Crystal Brook. After Davey retired, the business combined with Ferry, Moore, and Wilkinson. In 1879, Wilkinson took charge of the main office in Adelaide. Between 1882 and 1884, he undertook an international tour and afterwards became senior partner in Wilkinson, Harrison, & Porter alongside former banking associates Walter Harrison and W. Hedley R. Porter.
In 1895, Wilkinson moved to London to oversee the company’s branch there for six years. He also founded and chaired the Australasian Club based in London. Due to declining health, he returned to Adelaide where he joined the Stock Exchange and initiated a real estate enterprise that later became Wilkinson, Sando, and Wyles, Limited. He retired from active business in 1922.
Wilkinson contributed extensively to business and community organizations through various leadership positions:
- Councillor for Robe ward on Adelaide City Council
- President of the General Employers Union
- Founder and president of the Licensed Land Brokers and Auctioneers Association
- Initiator and president of North Adelaide’s Liberal Union branch
- Board member of the Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery
- Chairman and trustee of the Kindergarten Union
- Executive member and former chairman of St. John Ambulance Association
- Founder and past president of the Commonwealth Club of Adelaide
- Executive member and honorary treasurer of the Queen's Home
- Founder and executive participant in the Town Planning Association
During the First World War, Wilkinson held the presidency of the North Adelaide division of the Australian Division (men’s section) within the British Red Cross Society and led the Men's Tobacco Auxiliary for South Australia under the Australian Comforts Fund.
He passed away at his residence in North Adelaide.
Recognition
Wilkinson Lane in Beulah Park bears his name, commemorating his company’s subdivision work on part of section 288 completed in 1914.
Family
On 4 August 1886, Wilkinson wed Emily Jane Mathilde "Lily" Peterswald, daughter of William John Peterswald, who served as Commissioner of Police. Their offspring included Keith Wilkinson, Ross Wilkinson, and Irene de St. Croix Wilkinson. Irene married (Arden) Seymour Hawker of "Bungaree", Clare on 20 July 1910. The family later lived at 51 Pennington Terrace in North Adelaide.