• William Schaw Lindsay

    Victorian Entrepreneur

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Painting: Swedish National Maritime Museum, Stockholm. Inv. number SM 20028

THE
AUTHOR

William Stewart Lindsay FCIM is a great-great-grandson of William Schaw Lindsay. Following a career in Pharmaceuticals- spanning 35 years in sales, medical, and product management, culminating in 10 years as Marketing Director during which he launched 12 hospital medications he joined the Society for Nautical Research and the Navy Records Society and is pursuing his lifelong interest in maritime matters. He has published several articles on Victorian Shipping.

UPCOMING TALKS

VICTORIAN
ENTREPRENEUR

From rags to riches. Born in Scotland and orphaned by the age of 10, he was brought up by his uncle then ran away to sea at the age of 16. The book highlights his life at sea starting as a cabin boy and ending up as a captain. Exploits covering piracy, near-death experiences, and what life was like sailing across oceans in the 1830s.

 

Further information on William Schaw Lindsay can be found here.

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UPCOMING TALKS

18 December 2024

Society for Nautical Research

Zoom

Members

11 January 2025

North West Kent Family History Society

Otford Memorial Hall

Members

16 January 2025

Letchworth 25 Club

The Settlement, Letchworth

Members

Bill will consider presenting talks on his book in person or by zoom. Please email bill@billlindsayhistorian.com for more information.

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Guest Reviews

  • “Now, a new book aims to restore the reputation of William Schaw Lindsay, the Scot who rubbed shoulders with the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Disraeli, only to become neglected as a footnote in the history of Victorian Britain.”

    The Scotsman, 7th Jan 2024

  • “This is a comprehensive history of this great Victorian and I would highly recommend it.”

    Shipping Today & Yesterday, May 2024

  • “Bill is to be congratulated for bringing Lindsay’s story to a wider audience.”

    Shepperton Matters, Issue 139

  • “Bill Lindsay has done a wonderful job of bringing his ancestor’s fascinating story to life.”

    National Maritime Museum

  • “William Schaw Lindsay’s unpublished journals provide a fresh and fascinating insight into British attitudes to the American Civil War. His personal account of his meetings with Napoleon III and his candid pen-portraits of Palmerston and Lord John Russell are particularly valuable.”

    Charles Priestley, author of The Civil War Abroad

  • “A masterly piece of work covering a much neglected segment of mercantile maritime history.”

    Captain Peter King, Master Mariner and author of The Aberdeen Line

  • “[The author] has splendidly revived the life and reputation of a forgotten Victorian giant.”

    Dr David Davies, Chairman of the Society for Nautical Research, Maritime Historian & Author

  • “William Schaw Lindsay’s extraordinary career, from seafarer to shipping magnate, Member of Parliament and author, adds a critical dimension to the history of Victorian Britain. His trenchant opinions open a window on a world in transition, war, politics and personal agendas.”

    Professor Andrew Lambert, British Naval Historian

  • “A fabulous book about an extraordinary man.”

    Dr Sam Willis, award-winning historian, archaeologist and broadcaster