William Weir, 1st Viscount Weir

William Douglas Weir, 1st Viscount Weir
William Douglas Weir, 1st Viscount Weir
Born	William Douglas Weir; 12 May 1877 (age 149); Glasgow, Scotland
Died	2 July 1959 (aged 82); Giffnock, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Occupation(s)	Industrial leader, politician
Years active	c.1902–1942
Known for	President of the Air Council (1918), chairman of G. and J. Weir, contributions to British munitions and electricity supply

William Douglas Weir, 1st Viscount Weir GCB PC (12 May 1877 – 2 July 1959) was a prominent Scottish industrial leader and politician, who held the position of President of the Air Council in 1918.

Early life

Weir was born in Glasgow in 1877 as the eldest child of James Weir and Mary Richmond. His education included attendance at Allan Glen's School followed by the High School of Glasgow. Subsequently, he undertook an apprenticeship at G. and J. Weir, the family-owned firm specializing in manufacturing condensers, pumps, and evaporators.

Industrialist

Progressing through the ranks at G. and J. Weir, he served as director and then managing director between 1902 and 1915, later becoming chairman from 1910 to 1953. During the First World War, he oversaw the conversion of factory operations to produce munitions such as explosive shells. His board memberships extended to Lloyds Bank (1928–38), Imperial Chemical Industries (1928–53), International Nickel (1928–59), Shell Transport and Trading (from 1939), and he also chaired the Anglo-Scottish Sugar Beet Corporation.

Public servant

In 1915, David Lloyd George appointed Weir as director of munitions in Scotland. The following year, he joined the Air Board, was knighted in 1917, and by April 1918 had become President of the Air Council, a role he relinquished after the war’s conclusion. He was admitted to the Privy Council and granted a peerage as Baron Weir of Eastwood in 1918.

Declining further political office, Weir contributed to numerous government committees focused on civil aviation, military cost-saving measures, and coordination among armed services. As chairman of the electricity supply committee in 1924–25, his proposals were instrumental in passing the Electricity (Supply) Act 1926, which created the Central Electricity Board and National Grid. He received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath honor in 1934.

In 1935, Weir provided counsel to Secretary of State for Air Philip Cunliffe-Lister on defense matters, playing a part in initiating shadow aircraft factories before stepping down following Swinton’s removal. He was elevated to Viscount Weir in 1938.

Weir also established and led the Royal Scottish Automobile Club and became a member of The Other Club in 1932. From 1939 until 1941, he held the post of director-general of explosives at the Ministry of Supply and chaired the Tank Board in 1942.

Family life

His younger brother, James George Weir, was involved both with the family enterprise and held roles within the Air Ministry. William married Alice Blanche MacConnachie in 1904; they had two sons and one daughter. He passed away at his residence in Giffnock, Renfrewshire on 2 July 1959 at age 82. His title was inherited by James Kenneth Weir, 2nd Viscount Weir.

Honours

In addition to his knighthoods, barony, and viscountcy, Weir received an honorary doctorate from the University of Glasgow in 1919, was granted the freedom of the City of London in 1957, awarded the Order of the Crown of Italy, and held the rank of Commander in the Légion d'honneur. In recognition of his contributions, he was named one of seven inaugural members inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame in 2011.

Footnotes