Oswald, Richard
From AngloScottish
Dates | 1746-80s | ||
---|---|---|---|
Location | London | ||
Vocation | Merchant and diplomat | ||
Place of Birth | Dunnet, Caithness? | ||
Marriage | Mary Ramsay | ||
Issue | |||
Place of birth | Source | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
Apprenticed in Glasgow before migrating to London in 1746. Based at a counting-house on Philpot Lane, began an ambitious shipping and merchandising operation - tobacco, horses, slaves and sugar. Through marriage, branched out into government contracting and land speculation. Later in life divided time between London (townhouse on Great George Street) and mansion on the River Ayr. Died in Scotland in 1784.
Had two illegitimate sons who predeceased him.