Stephen Mitchell & Son
Encyclopedia
Stephen Mitchell first established a tobacco manufacturing business in Linlithgow
in Scotland
in 1723.
His great grandson, also Stephen Mitchell (1789–1874), was born in Linlithgow on 19 September 1789. On the death of his own father (the founder's grandson) in 1820 Stephen continued the family business, transferring it in 1825 to Candleriggs
in Glasgow
. In 1832 the business moved again, to St Andrew's Square.
Mitchell retired to Moffat
in 1859 and died there on 21 April 1874 following a fall. He never married, and left a public bequest of £66,998 10s 6d to ensure the establishment and maintenance of a public library in Glasgow, to be known as the Mitchell Library
. The library was opened to the public in November 1877 and is now the largest public reference library in Europe.
The tobacco business finally merged with W. D. & H. O. Wills in 1901. Wills then amalgamated with other tobacco companies to become the Imperial Tobacco
Company.
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1723.
His great grandson, also Stephen Mitchell (1789–1874), was born in Linlithgow on 19 September 1789. On the death of his own father (the founder's grandson) in 1820 Stephen continued the family business, transferring it in 1825 to Candleriggs
Candleriggs
Candleriggs is a street in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is located in the Merchant City area of the city centre.Candleriggs is best known for it being the home of City Halls, a musical venue operated by Glasgow City Council. The old Candleriggs Fruit Market building at the corner of...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. In 1832 the business moved again, to St Andrew's Square.
Mitchell retired to Moffat
Moffat
Moffat is a former burgh and spa town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, lying on the River Annan, with a population of around 2,500. The most notable building in the town is the Moffat House Hotel, designed by John Adam...
in 1859 and died there on 21 April 1874 following a fall. He never married, and left a public bequest of £66,998 10s 6d to ensure the establishment and maintenance of a public library in Glasgow, to be known as the Mitchell Library
Mitchell Library
The Mitchell Library is a large public library and centre of the public library system of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:The library was established with a bequest from Stephen Mitchell, a wealthy tobacco manufacturer, whose company, Stephen Mitchell & Son, would become one of the constituent members...
. The library was opened to the public in November 1877 and is now the largest public reference library in Europe.
The tobacco business finally merged with W. D. & H. O. Wills in 1901. Wills then amalgamated with other tobacco companies to become the Imperial Tobacco
Imperial Tobacco
Imperial Tobacco is a global tobacco company headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom. It is the world’s fourth-largest cigarette company measured by market share , and the world's largest producer of cigars, fine-cut tobacco and tobacco papers...
Company.