Alexander Balfour

Who was Alexander Balfour?

Alexander Balfour was a Scottish merchant and founder of the Liverpool shipping company Balfour Williamson.

Balfour was born in Leven, Fife, the son of Henry Balfour, a foundry owner. He was educated at the High School of Dundee and St Andrews University, and in 1844 moved to Liverpool, where in 1851 he founded Balfour Williamson with Stephen Williamson and David Duncan.

He was a committed philanthropist, and founded the Duke Street Home, to provide better conditions for sailors, and orphanages for seamen's children.

He co-founded Edge Hill University in 1885, the first non-denominational teacher training college for women in England. There is a Halls of Residence called Balfour in his honour.

He bought a country estate at Mount Alyn, at Rossett, south of Chester. He died there in 1886.

There is a statue of him by Albert Bruce-Joy in St John's Gardens, Liverpool.