Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart

A carte-de-visite portrait of the baronet Sir Michael Robert Shaw-Stewart (1826-1903), from 1855 to 1865 the MP for Renfrewshire.

According to his obituary in the Times (11 December 1903): ‘Sir Michael Robert Shaw-Stewart, seventh baronet of Greenock and Blackhall, died early yesterday morning at his principal Scottish seat, Ardgowan, Renfrewshire. Sir Michael, who had been in failing health for the past few years, underwent an operation last week. […] One of Sir Michael’s last acts of a public nature was to reduce the rents for the past year of his tenants on his four estates, on account of the bad harvest. […] He was born on November 26, 1826, and succeeded his father as seventh baronet when only ten years of age. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and served from 1845 to 1847 in the 2nd Life Guards. […] He took a prominent part in masonic affairs, was Grand Master of Scottish Freemasonry for seven years, and a provincial Grand Master for 33 years […] Sir Michael was very popular in Renfrewshire and took an active part in the public affairs of the county […] In Greenock particularly, where he was well known, he did much good, and was highly esteemed. Fond of all outdoor sports, he was a keen yachtsman, and had been a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron for nearly 40 years. Sir Michael married, in 1852, Lady Octavia Grosvenor, sixth daughter of the second Marquis of Westminster, and sister of the late Duke of Westminster, through whom he inherited the estate of Fonthill Abbey, near Salisbury. Sir Michael and Lady Octavia celebrated their golden wedding in December last. They had a family of five sons and four daughters, six of whom survive.’

Photographed on 22 March 1862 by Camille Silvy of London.