Leonard Gow (18591936) was a Scottish shipowner, philanthropist and art collector.

Life

He was born in Glasgow the son of Jessie Mcleod and her husband Leonard Gow (1824-1910), a Glasgow shipping magnate in the firm Allan C. Gow & Co and founder of the Glen Line.[1] Leonard studied Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University in 1884 but did not graduate. He entered his father's shipping business and was also a Director of Burmah Oil.[2]

Gow became director of Allan C. Gow when his father retired and went into a partnership creating Gow, Harrison & Co.

He began collecting Impressionist art and Chinese and Japanese porcelain around 1880, using the art dealer Alexander Reid.[3]

His father died on 25 November 1910. Also described as a "philanthropist"[4] Some time between 1910 and 1915 he purchased "Camis Eskan" a huge mansionhouse near Helensburgh with enough wall space to display his growing art collection.[5] In 1915 Gow employed the architect A. N. Paterson (1862-1947) to extend and modernise the mansion.[6]

Glasgow University gave him an honorary doctorate in 1934.

He died on 11 March 1936.[7] He is buried in the Glasgow Necropolis.

After his death a large exhibition of his collection was held at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.[8]

Artistic recognition

Gow was portrayed by John Lavery.[9]

Endowments by Gow

Family

He had two sons: Leonard Harper Gow (1891-1965) and John Wesley Harper Gow (1898-1986).

References

  1. https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gow-Leonard.pdf
  2. "University of Glasgow :: Story :: Biography of Leonard Gow".
  3. Alexander Reid in Context by Frances Fowle vol.1
  4. "Mackintosh Architecture: Biography".
  5. "Helensburgh Heritage Trust".
  6. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (September 6, 2022, 1:05 am)".
  7. Who Was Who: Oxford University Press
  8. https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gow-Leonard.pdf
  9. "Leonard Gow (1859–1936) | Art UK".
  10. https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gow-Leonard.pdf
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