James Matheson
Sir James Matheson | |
|---|---|
James Matheson (published 1837) | |
| Member of Parliament for Ashburton | |
| In office 1843–1847 | |
| Preceded by | William Jardine |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Matheson |
| Member of Parliament for Ross and Cromarty | |
| In office 1852–1868 | |
| Preceded by | James Mackenzie |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Matheson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 November 1796 Shiness, Lairg, Scotland |
| Died | 31 December 1878 (aged 82) Menton, France |
| Citizenship | British |
| Political party | Whig |
| Occupation | Taipan |
| Known for | Co-founder of Jardine Matheson & Co. |
Sir James Nicolas Sutherland Matheson, 1st Baronet, FRS (17 November 1796 – 31 December 1878), was a Scottish opium trader and taipan. Born in Shiness, Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland, he was the son of Captain Donald Matheson. He attended Edinburgh's Royal High School and the University of Edinburgh. He and William Jardine went on to co-found the Hong Kong-based trading conglomerate Jardine Matheson & Co. that became today's Jardine Matheson Holdings.