William Noble, 1st Baron Kirkley
Encyclopedia
William Joseph Noble, 1st Baron Kirkley (13 January 1863 – 11 September 1935), known as Sir William Noble, Bt, between 1921 and 1930, was a British
shipowner.
, the son of John Noble and Mary, daughter of James Black.
. He remained chairman of the Cairn Line until his death. He was first honorary president of the Baltic and White Sea Conference from 1913 to 1921 and also served as president of the Chamber of Shipping in 1920 and on the Executive of the Shipping Federation
. He was a member of the Tyne Improvement Commissioners and was shipping representative on the advisory sub-committee of the Ministry of Transport
. He was vice-president of the Newcastle and Gateshead
Chamber of Commerce
from 1915 until his death and was president of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in 1919–1921 and 1929. During the First World War he served on a number of government and local committees. In 1930 he led the British Economic Mission to South Africa
.
Noble was created a Baronet, of West Denton Hall in the County of Northumberland, in the 1921 Birthday Honours and raised to the peerage as Baron Kirkley, of Kirkley in the County of Northumberland, in 1930, taking his title from Kirkley Hall
, Northumberland
, which he bought in 1929.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
shipowner.
Background
Noble was born in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, the son of John Noble and Mary, daughter of James Black.
Career
Noble entered the shipping business at the age of fifteen and became a partner in Cairns, Noble & Co, which operated the Cairn Line and was later taken over by Furness, Withy & Co Ltd, of which he became a directorBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
. He remained chairman of the Cairn Line until his death. He was first honorary president of the Baltic and White Sea Conference from 1913 to 1921 and also served as president of the Chamber of Shipping in 1920 and on the Executive of the Shipping Federation
Shipping Federation
For the Shipping Federation of British Columbia, see British Columbia Maritime Employers' Association.The Shipping Federation was an association of employers in the shipping industry. It was formed in 1890 in response to the London Dock Strike of 1889 and the successes of the National Union of...
. He was a member of the Tyne Improvement Commissioners and was shipping representative on the advisory sub-committee of the Ministry of Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
. He was vice-president of the Newcastle and Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
from 1915 until his death and was president of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in 1919–1921 and 1929. During the First World War he served on a number of government and local committees. In 1930 he led the British Economic Mission to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Noble was created a Baronet, of West Denton Hall in the County of Northumberland, in the 1921 Birthday Honours and raised to the peerage as Baron Kirkley, of Kirkley in the County of Northumberland, in 1930, taking his title from Kirkley Hall
Kirkley Hall
Kirkley Hall is a 17th century historic country mansion and Grade II listed building situated on the bank of the River Blyth at Kirkley, near Ponteland in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, which is now an Horticultural and Agricultural training centre.The manor of Kirkley was granted to...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, which he bought in 1929.