George Thomson

Who was George Thomson?

George Thomson was a Scottish marine engineer and shipbuilder, born at Partick, Glasgow.

He served his apprenticeship with a Mr Graham in Partick before entering the works of Mr Robert Napier, where he quickly gained the best knowledge in marine engineering available.

He then went into business with his brother James and the firm of James & George Thomson was born. They started with engine building then expanded into shipbuilding in 1851. They produced over forty steamers including the Russia, one of the top ships crossing the Atlantic. They then moved to Govan and later to a new works at Clydebank, increasing staff from 1,500 to over 4,000 at the new works. After James' early retirement and the sudden death of George, the new works were managed by the sons of George.

In 1899, Sheffield steel manufacturer John Brown & Co. took over the Clydebank shipyard founded by James and George Thomson.