Brodie McGhie Willcox (1786–1862) was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament (MP) and the co-founder of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, one of the United Kingdom's largest shipping businesses.

Career

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Having established himself as a shipbroker, Brodie Willcox recruited Arthur Anderson initially as a clerk and then as a partner to operate a shipping business sailing around the Iberian Peninsula.[1]

In 1837 Brodie Willcox and Arthur Anderson established the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company.[2] Brodie Willcox served as the first Managing Director of the business which by the 1860s was the owner of the largest steamship fleet in the World.[2]

In the 1847 general election Brodie Willcox was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Southampton. He remained an MP for the rest of his life.[3]

He died in Roydon near Portsmouth in 1862 in an accident.[2] He is buried on the western side of Highgate Cemetery.[4][5]

 
Family grave of Brodie McGhie Willcox in Highgate Cemetery

Family

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He was married to Sophia Ann Willcox (née Van der Gucht).[4]

References

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  1. ^ "P&O History" (PDF). portal.pohub.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ a b c Brodie Willcox at P&O Ships
  3. ^ They Work for You
  4. ^ a b Historic England
  5. ^ Cansick, Frederick Teague (1872). The Monumental Inscriptions of Middlesex Vol 2. J Russell Smith. p. 135. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Southampton
1847–1862
With: Sir Alexander Cockburn to 1857
Thomas Weguelin 1857–1859
William Seymour from 1859
Succeeded by