James Morrison

Born in 1790 of Hampshire yeoman stock, James Morrison started work in a London warehouse in a humble capacity. But his business skill and marriage to the owner's daughter secured him a partnership in the business. The firm's name was changed to Morrison, Dillon & Co, and it later became the Fore Street Limited Liability Company. It was perhaps the first big discount retailer in Britain, reflecting Morrison's dictum: 'Small profits and quick returns.' He became enormously rich and spent a large part of his fortune on land in six counties round England and Scotland, including the island of Islay.

By 1823, he was worth £150,000 and was always looking for new and profitable investments. Aside from his business, Morrison was a keen politician and became an MP in 1830, supporting the Reform Bill of 1832. His great contribution to British public life involved his work on the various railway acts when he worked on Commons select committees. Many of his proposals were adopted in subsequent legislation. He
retired from the Commons in 184 7, and devoted himself in his final ten years to building a large library and a magnificent art collection at his Basildon Park estate in Berkshire.

Morrison died in 1857, leaving property in England valued at between £3m and £4m, together with large investments in America. In all, he was worth at least £4m, representing about £7.2bn in today's terms.