 John Adamson |
 John Adamson was a successful and highly respected
man. In addition to his solicitor’s practice he was the Under-sheriff
of Newcastle and the secretary to the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway Company.
His most important contribution to the local community, however, was his
role as a founding member of the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries. His
collection was one of the most significant in the area, but part of it
was destroyed by a fire in his library in 1849.
He was also a member of the Literary and Philosophical Society. With
a keen interest in literature and, in particular, poetry. In his youth,
Adamson spent time in Lisbon and during his life he translated several
poems and plays from Portuguese into English. His most significant work
was a two volume study of the life and works of the Portuguese poet, Luis
de Camoens.
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| The Angus Family |
Henry Angus & Co.
Caleb Angus established his coach works business in Newcastle’s Bigg
Market in 1780. The business, now under the leadership of his nephew Henry,
relocated in 1850 to the premises in Westgate Road. A contemporary trade
directory describes the premises of Angus and Co. as: ‘...a suite
of palatial works and offices at 65 Westgate Road...‘ and also ‘...extensive
and elegant premises covering an area of nearly 80,000 sq. ft. and reaching
to a height of five storeys.’
Henry Angus b. 1800
Henry Angus was active in the Baptist movement in Newcastle. He was also
a prominent public figure in the city, serving on the council for 14 years
from 1851 to 1865, when he was elected mayor. He died in 1872.
Sir William Angus b.1840
William began work in his uncle’s business as an apprentice, gradually
advancing through the ranks and eventually running the company from 1872
until 1906. Like his uncle, he was a staunch Baptist whose influence helped
to establish many new churches in Newcastle. He was also active in politics,
holding the offices of President of the Liberal Party in Newcastle and
President of the National Liberal Federation for several years. In 1907
he was knighted in Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman’s Birthday Honours
List.
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