Angus John Malise Graham (9 February 1937 – 2 November 2023) was a Scottish businessperson who founded the Thomas Graham Library in Strathblane.[1][2]
Early life and education
editBorn in London, Angus Graham was the son of John Graham, a general practitioner, and Yvonne Dubois from a Swiss watchmaking family.[3][4] He spent his formative years in Seaford, East Sussex and later inherited the Ballewan estate in Scotland, a property long held by his family.[3]
Graham was educated at Charterhouse School. He pursued a career in accountancy after failing to gain admission to Oxford University.[3][4]
Career
editIn the late 1960s, Graham worked for Koracorp, a textile company, in Paris.[4] In 1976, he joined Inver House Distillers, which was then underperforming, and by 1988 he led a management buyout, steering the company towards specializing in single malt whiskies.[3] The company was eventually sold to Pacific Spirits in 2001.[3]
Graham contributed to community initiatives, including a large-scale tree planting project and a hydro-electric scheme proposal.[4] He played a major role in establishing a £1 million community hub in Strathblane, which included a new library funded by his donations and local contributions.[4][5]
Personal life
editGraham was married to Catherine Sword, and they had two children.[3]
References
edit- ^ "First community-owned library built in generations opens in Strathblane". BBC News. 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Tributes paid after death of Scottish philanthropist Angus Graham". 8 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Businessman and philanthropist who helped fund £1million library for Scottish village". 11 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Angus Graham obituary".
- ^ "How people power delivered £1m library for community". 11 February 2023.