Wikipedia

Sir Thomas Skinner, 1st Baronet

Sir Thomas Skinner, 1st Baronet, (23 November 1840 – 11 May 1926), known as Sir Thomas Skinner, Esq. was a British-born financial writer, publisher, and businessman who became a Director of the Canadian Pacific Railway and of the Hudson's Bay Company.[1]

Sir Thomas Skinner
Bt
Born
Thomas Skinner

(1840-11-23)23 November 1840
Bristol, England
Died11 May 1926
Chelsea, London, England
Resting placeHeene Cemetery
CitizenshipBritish subject
Occupation(s)Financial journalist, businessman
ParentJames Skinner

Early life

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Thomas Skinner was born on 23 November 1840 in Bristol, England.[2]

His father was James Skinner of Bristol.[3] On 17 March 1866, he first married Sarah Margaret Hewitt, daughter of Jonas Barnett Hewitt of London.[1] His son, Sir Thomas Hewitt Skinner, 2nd Baronet, was born on 12 June 1875. He later became a partner in his father's firm Thomas Skinner and Co.[1]

Skinner resided on Pont Street in Chelsea, London, and was a Justice of the peace of Middlesex.[1]

Career

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Publishing career

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Stock Exchange Year Book

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Between 1873 and 1874, he compiled the first issues of The Stock Exchange Year-Book, an annual publication covering an overview of joint-stock companies and public securities in the UK market for investors.[4] By October 1883, it had reached its tenth year.[5]

Directory of Directors

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In May 1880, he compiled and edited the first annual publication of The Directory of Directors which was published in London. Skinner used company reports and other reliable sources to compile the information on around 6,000 directors and their companies in industry, commerce, and finance. The 1881 issue, published at the Royal Exchange buildings, featured 7,500 directors and grew from 272 to 384 pages.[6]

The London Banks

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The financial journalist soon set his sights on the periodical London Banks and Kindred Companies and Firms, first published in December 1865 under the title The London Banks, Credit, Discount, and Finance Companies.[7][8] In November 1880, Skinner replaced Edwin Utley as the chief editor and publisher of The London Banks, and Kindred Companies and Firms. The publication compiled information regarding banks and companies that made up the London Money Market. In 1881, the Leeds Mercury reported "Mr. Skinner has already added features to it which increase its value."[6]

Bankers' Almanac

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Sir Thomas Skinner later took over a semi-annual publication established in 1844-45 titled the Bankers' Almanac in East Grinstead, England. It became popularly known as "Skinner's" and was a directory of thousands of major banks in alphabetical order.[9] The periodical London Banks and Kindred Companies and Firms was merged into the Bankers' Almanac in 1919.[10]

Canadian Pacific Railway Co.

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In 1881, an invitation was extended for Skinner to become involved in Canadian interests.[11] In February 1881, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company was incorporated to build and manage a transcontinental railway extending from St. John, New Brunswick, and Montreal, Quebec, to Vancouver, British Columbia.[12] His understanding of London's financial markets supported efforts to secure funding for the Canadian Pacific Railway.[13] He produced a weekly journal to provide information and promote the Canadian Pacific Railway during its construction.[11]

Canada North-West Land Co.

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In 1882, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company established the Anglo-Canadian Canada North-West Land Company, chaired by Sir Thomas Skinner.[14]

The Canadian Gazette

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Now chairman of the Canada North-West Land Company, in April 1883, he served as the founder, chief editor, and publisher of the Canadian Gazette.[15][16] The London-based weekly paper featured Canadian news, emigration topics, and investment opportunities.[17] It was primarily financed by George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen who had recently resigned as President of the Bank of Montreal to focus on the Canadian Pacific Railway.[18] Skinner became regarded as a leading authority on Canadian investments.[19]

CPR Director

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In 1888, he was first elected to the Canadian Pacific Railway Company's Board of Directors as its London-based director.[20]

Pillsbury-Washburn Flour Mills Co.

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He was appointed chairman of the board of the Pillsbury-Washburn Flour Mills Co. Ltd. in 1889, following a British financial syndicate's acquisition and merger of Pillsbury with a competitor.[21][11]

Hudson's Bay Co.

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Thomas Skinner was appointed a member of the Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) on 29 July 1890 to replace Sir Charles Russell.[22]

Appointed by Queen Victoria in 1891, he joined the Colonization Board, set up to support Canadian colonization from the densely populated western Scottish Highlands, Scottish islands, and Ireland.[11]

Commercial Cable Co.

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In April 1891, he was elected as a Director of the Commercial Cable Company which was registered in 1883. He announced the news to the public in The Canadian Gazette.[23] The company was engaged in manufacturing and owning both underwater telegraph cables and land-based lines.[24]

Bank of Montreal

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In 1894, Skinner became a member (and later chairman) of the London-based advisory committee of the Bank of Montreal on 22 Abchurch Lane.[11] Serving from the mid-1890s to the 1920s, he worked on the committee with Alexander Lang and Sir Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, who presided over the bank's board of directors.[25][26]

The Canadian Pacific Railway Company director worked closely on advancing railway interests with James J. Hill, the Canadian president of the Great Northern Railway, and George Stephen, former BMO president and cousin of Sir Donald A. Smith. He was among four who signed the London agreement on 10 May 1895 to acquire the Northern Pacific Railway for the Great Northern Railway.[27]

Halifax & Bermuda Co.

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In 1897, London-based Sir Thomas Skinner held the roles of Trustee and Director for the Halifax and Bermudas Cable Company, alongside Sir Donald A. Smith. He also chaired the Board of Directors, including Charles R. Hosmer, T.G.H. G’ynn, and Joseph Rippon.[28]

Direct West India Cable Co.

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The Direct West India Cable Company Ltd. was founded on 2 August 1897 to take over a contract between the Halifax & Bermuda Co. and the British government for managing a submarine cable route linking Bermuda, Jamaica, and Turks Island.[28] Following its registration on 1 September 1897, Sir Skinner maintained roles as Trustee and Director of the Direct West India Cable Company Ltd. alongside Lord Strathcona, serving as chairman at its British headquarters on Old Broad Street.[29] Banking services for the company were provided by the Bank of Montreal.[30] By 1915, his son Sir T. Hewitt Skinner was also a director of the firm.[31]

At the end of the 19th century, Skinner was appointed Deputy Governor of Hudson's Bay Company in London, succeeding Earl of Lichfield Sir Donald Smith.[32]

Stock Exchange Gazette

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In 1901, T. Skinner & Co. was publishing the Stock Exchange Gazette in London at 330 Gresham House.[33] The publication edited by Sir Thomas Skinner issued weekly details of companies formed in Guernsey.[34]

Mackay Companies

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In 1903, he was elected to The Mackay Companies, a voluntary association formed by Clarence H. Mackay (fellow Commercial Cable Company director) under the trust deed of 19 December 1902.[35] The Commercial Cable Co. became a subsidiary under The Mackay Companies.[36] Holding the entire capital stock of Commercial Cable Co., the association also owned full or partial shares in multiple telegraph and cable companies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including Postal Telegraph and Cable Co.[37]

He presented the President of The Canada Club in London with a chain and badge of office in 1909.[11] London's Canada Club also hosted Skinner as a principal guest on 8 February 1912.[38] Sir Thomas Skinner was granted the Skinner baronetcy, a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom, on 9 February 1912.[22]

HBC Governor

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Following the death of Lord Strathcona, Sir Donald Smith, in 1914, who had served as Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company for 25 years, Sir Thomas Skinner succeeded him in the role.[39] Skinner held the position for two years before resigning. On 19 September 1915, he sent his letter of resignation to committee member Robert Kindersley, 1st Baron Kindersley, who was subsequently elected as Governor in 1916.[22] His son, T. Hewitt Skinner, 2nd Baronet, succeeded him on the committee.[40]

Laurentide Co.

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In 1915, Sir Thomas Skinner was elected to the Laurentide Board of Directors.[41] After the death of Sir William Van Horne, he replaced Montreal businessman Charles Hosmer who became vice-president.[42] The Laurentide Company, Ltd., a manufacturer of wood pulp, paper, and cardboard, was incorporated under Canadian laws in 1911 and acquired the assets of the Laurentide Paper Co. Ltd.[43] By 1920, Sir Thomas Skinner was serving on the boards of The Laurentide Company, Ltd., The Canadian Pacific Railway Company, and The Canada North-West Land Company, along with a number of other Canadian corporations.[3] Skinner held a seat on the Laurentide board until 1923, and returned in 1924–25. He had gradually expanded his holdings in the company, owning 500 shares from 1903, increasing to 1,333 by 1911, and 3,999 shares from the 1920s until his passing.[42]

Death

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Sir Thomas Skinner, 1st Baronet died on 11 May 1926 in Chelsea, London, England. His burial took place in Heene Cemetery.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage and Baronetage, the Privy Council, Knightage, and Companionage. (1934). United Kingdom: (n.p.).
  2. ^ The Beaver. (1926). Canada: Hudson's Bay Company.
  3. ^ a b Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage. (1920). United Kingdom: Kelly's Directories.
  4. ^ The Publishers' Circular and General Record of British and Foreign Literature. (1874). United Kingdom: Sampson Low.
  5. ^ Publisher and Bookseller. (1883). United Kingdom: J. Whitaker.
  6. ^ a b The Directory of Directors. (1881). United Kingdom: Thomas Skinner Directories.
  7. ^ British Museum: Catalogue of Printed Books : Periodical Publications : Part 1-6 : Aarau-Zwolle. (n.d.). United Kingdom: William Glowes and sons.
  8. ^ The Statist. (1945). United Kingdom: (n.p.).
  9. ^ Deuss, J. (1990). Banking in the U.S.: An Annotated Bibliography. United Kingdom: Scarecrow Press.
  10. ^ Nishimura, S. (1971). The Decline of Inland Bills of Exchange in the London Money Market 1855-1913. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
  11. ^ a b c d e f The Canadian Men and Women of the Time: A Handbook of Canadian Biography of Living Characters. (1912). Canada: W. Briggs.
  12. ^ Moodys Manual of Railroads and Corporation Securities. Government, State and Municipal Supplement. (1907). United States: Poor's Publishing Company.
  13. ^ a b Friends of Heene Cemetery. (n.d.). Friends of Heene Cemetery. https://www.heenecemetery.org.uk/burial/thomas-skinner-buried-1926/
  14. ^ McDonald, D. (2002). Lord Strathcona: A Biography of Donald Alexander Smith. Ukraine: Dundurn Press.
  15. ^ A Tour Through Canada: From Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island. (1884). United Kingdom: Cassell & Company.
  16. ^ Berton, P. (2010). The Last Spike: The Great Railway, 1881-1885. Canada: Doubleday Canada.
  17. ^ Athenaeum and Literary Chronicle. (1883). United Kingdom: J. Francis.
  18. ^ MacLaren, R. (2006). Commissions High: Canada in London, 1870-1971. Ukraine: McGill-Queen's University Press.
  19. ^ Official Report of Debates, House of Commons. (1898). Canada: Queen's Printer..
  20. ^ Canada: an Encyclopædia of the Country: The Hudson's Bay company. History of railways. History and doctrines of Methodism. The Church of England. The Roman Catholic church. (1898). Canada: Linscott Publishing Company.
  21. ^ Poor's Manual of Industrials. (1911). United States: Poor's Railroad Manual Company.
  22. ^ a b c SKINNER, T. (n.d.). SKINNER, Thomas (Sir, 1st bart.) (23 Nov. 1840-11 May 1926). In ARCHIVESWINNIPEG. https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/archives/_docs/hbca/biographical/s/skinner_thomas1890-1915.pdf
  23. ^ The Electrical Review. (1891). United Kingdom: IPC Electrical-Electronic Press,..
  24. ^ Poor's Manual of Railroads. (1903). United States: H.V. & H.W. Poor.
  25. ^ The Outlook. (1898). United Kingdom: Outlook Publishing Company.
  26. ^ Kelly's Directory of Merchants, Manufacturers and Shippers. (1912). United Kingdom: Kelly's Directories Limited.
  27. ^ Wilkins, M. (1989). The history of foreign investment in the United States to 1914. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
  28. ^ a b Railway News, Finance and Joint-stock Companies' Journal. (1897). United Kingdom: (n.p.).
  29. ^ The Electrician Electrical Trades Directory and Handbook. (1898). United Kingdom: Benn Brothers..
  30. ^ The Electrical Journal. (1898). United Kingdom: (n.p.).
  31. ^ The Universal Electrical Directory (J.A. Berly's).. (1915). United Kingdom: H. Alabaster, Gatehouse & Company,..
  32. ^ Moody's Manual of Railroads and Corporation Securities. (1907). United States: Moody Manual Company.
  33. ^ Willing's Press Guide. (1933). United Kingdom: Willing's Press Service.
  34. ^ ruth. (1903). United Kingdom: (n.p.).
  35. ^ The Commercial & Financial Chronicle: Railway and industrial compendium. (1919). United States: William B. Dana Company.
  36. ^ Poor's Manual of Public Utilities; Street, Railway, Gas, Electric, Water, Power, Telephone and Telegraph Companies. (1917). United States: (n.p.).
  37. ^ Moody's Manual of Industrial and Miscellaneous Securities. (1916). United States: Moody Manual Company.
  38. ^ Colmer, J. G. (1934). The Canada Club (London): Founded in 1810 After Occasional Meetings of Its Original Members for an Unknown Period Prior to that Year : Somenotes on Its Origin, Constitution and Activities. United Kingdom: Committee of the Club.
  39. ^ Simmons, D. (2007). Keepers of the Record: The History of the Hudson's Bay Company Archives. Ukraine: McGill-Queen's University Press.
  40. ^ Canadian Railway and Marine World. (1915). Canada: (n.p.).
  41. ^ The Economist. (1915). United Kingdom: Economist Newspaper Limited.
  42. ^ a b Revue d'histoire de l'Amérique française. (1975). Canada: Institut d'histoire de l'Amérique française.
  43. ^ Standard Corporation Service and Unlisted and Local Securities Service. (1919). United States: Standard Statistics Company, Incorporated.


Preceded by Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company
1914–1916 		Succeeded by
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