Isaac Solly

Who was Isaac Solly?

Isaac Solly, son of Isaac Solly of London and Walthamstow was a London merchant in the Baltic trade. During the Napoleonic wars Isaac Solly and Sons were principal contractors supplying hemp and timber to government dockyards. His brother Edward Solly, a famous collector of paintings, was stationed in Berlin. The family concern suffered a serious setback when twenty of their ships, laden with merchandise, were confiscated and taken to Copenhagen, during the Napoleonic Blockade.

In addition to this business, Solly served as chairman of the London Dock Company, founding chairman of the London and Birmingham Railway, chairman of the British and American Steam Navigation Company, and Governor of the Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation. He was also amongst the original proprietors of the London University.

He was declared bankrupt in 1837 during the banking crisis of that year.

Solly had ten children. His son Samuel Solly, F.R.S. was a distinguished surgeon, while Henry Solly was a social reformer and founder of working men's clubs.