People

People

There have been many men and women from East Renfrewshire over the centuries, who deserve to be remembered for leaving their mark on society in some way, shape or form. Some will be well-known throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. Others will be less so, for example, local dignitaries and philanthropists whose contribution, though perhaps small on the national stage, was nevertheless of great local significance.

Some are remembered for their political roles and in this James Maxton is probably the best example. Others like John Shanks, Lord Weir and John Robertson were great innovators who contributed to the industrial and technological advances of the 19th and 20th centuries. Another feature of this time period were those men and women who became generous local benefactors like Archibald Cameron Corbett, (Lord Rowallan), Margaret Glen, James Cowan and William Mann. These people were passionate in improving social welfare and public services and often donated large amounts of money or land for public use.

Others left their home towns and villages to achieve fame and success in other places, such as Thomas McCulloch who is credited with founding higher education in Nova Scotia, Canada.

You can read about some of these people in this section. They have been divided into broad categories but some of them prove difficult to classify as their influence reached into so many areas of public life. They have been grouped by their most well-known or best loved achievements but it is worth browsing the categories to discover the breadth and impact of their legacies.