John Jackson
Sir John Jackson (1851–1919), civil engineer and engineering contractor
1851 Born on 4 February 1851 at 15 Coney Street, York, the youngest of the five children of Edward Jackson (1789–1859), goldsmith, and his wife, Elizabeth.
Educated at Holgate Seminary
1866 apprenticed to William Boyd of Spring Gardens engineering works, Newcastle upon Tyne
1868 Studied at Edinburgh University
After university, he returned to Newcastle, and worked for his brother, William Edwin Jackson (who was 22 years old and a well-established contractor).
1875 Established his own firm
1876 Married Ellen Julia Myers
His first large contract was for the Stobcross Docks contract no. 4 in Glasgow, although the clients hesitated as Jackson was rumoured to be only 25 (which was true).
Owned a shipping line, the Westminster Shipping Co Ltd, which transported his machinery and materials all over the world
1894 Completed work on the Manchester Ship Canal in two-thirds of the contract time, which earned him a knighthood in 1895
1898 The business was incorporated as Sir John Jackson Ltd
1896–1907 During the Keyham Dockyard contract, Jackson and his family lived on the outskirts of Plymouth, while retaining a house in Holland Park, London.
1910 Elected to represent Devonport in Parliament as a Unionist
1918 resigned from Parliament
1919 Died at Hambledon
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography, ODNB