John Farquhar

Born in rural Scotland, he went to India as a young man in the military service of the English East India Company. Unable to perform his service after he was wounded, Farquhar was transferred to Bengal where he became engaged in trade and learnt chemistry. He was appointed superintendent of the Government gunpowder factory at Pulta, and after a while, sole contractor since he managed to improve until then poor quality gunpowder. After he earned a fortune manufacturing gunpowder, Farguhar decided to leave India. Back to England in 1814, Farquhar settled in London and invested in government stock and became a partner in the City firm, Basset, Farquhar & Co as well as taking a stake in the Whitbread brewery. Despite the great wealth he possessed he continued to live frugally and often was mistaken for a beggar in the street. At the time of his death, his wealth was estimated over £1m.