SIR JOHN ELLERMAN DEAD

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1933, Page 5

SIR JOHN ELLERMAN DEAD

SHIPPING MAGNATE REPUTEDLY WORTH £30,000,000,: ROMANTIC CAREER. (United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright) (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, July -17. The death is announced of Sir John Ellerman, chairman of the Ellerman Lines, Ltd., one of the richest men in Britain, reputed to be worth £30,000,000. He was among London’s largest land owners, but w T as almost unknown to the public. His income was estimated at £1,000,* 000 a year, of which, he spent only 5 pci cent., investing the surplus. He gave generously to charity.

It is believed that no millionaire in the world suffered so little from the depression, because of the high valii'es of everything with which his name was associated. - Sir John Ellerman was described as the modern “Dick Whittington.” He came to London as a clerk and soon began business for himself as an accountant. He knew nothing about shipping, but at the age of .27_ he formed a company to buy the 'Lejignd..... Lino. Afterwards he bought'- ether; ■ lines, which were low; in the water, and became known as 1 the shipping ' wizard, as he turned them all _inttt... prosperous paths. At- onetime: . 'he, ~ controlled nearly 300 ships. He knew :" without reference to documents ly where each was, and the freight it ;; carried. He had no extravagant; hobbies, and shunned publicity. |Tc : - rofnsed a peerage. y