Sir Hugh Allan

Shipowner, born in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, W Scotland, UK. He settled in 1826 in Canada, where his company of shipbuilders prospered, and founded the Allan Line of steamers. His financial support of the 1872 Conservative Party election campaign led to a scandal which brought down the government.

Sir Hugh Allan, KCMG (September 29, 1810 – December 9, 1882) was a Scottish-born Canadian financier and shipowner. In 1826, he emigrated to Canada and worked for a shipbuilding company in Montreal, Lower Canada, where he later founded the Allan Line of steamships.

Allan became one of the wealthiest men in the country and on his death, the shipping line was passed on to his son, H.