PETER TAIT: A REMARKABLE STORY
The definitive biography of Sir Peter Tait JP DL (1828-1890)
Published by
Milnford Publications
Enquiries to info@milnford-publications.com
The definitive biography of Sir Peter Tait JP DL (1828-
Published by
Milnford Publications
Enquiries to info@milnford-
Click to view: Copyright / Table of Contents / Preface / Index
This fascinating book, based on extensive original research, traces the life of Peter Tait from his birth in Shetland in 1828 to his death in the Russian Empire in 1890.
It describes his years in Limerick, as a manufacturer of army uniforms, using steam powered sewing machines, as a Deputy Lieutenant and, for three consecutive years, Mayor of the City; sheds significant new light on his supply of uniforms to the Confederate States during the American Civil War, on his involvement in blockade running, and on his ultimately disastrous relationship with Alexander Collie, who is exposed as the perpetrator of extensive frauds both during and after the War; and brings to life Tait’s campaigns for election as an MP for Limerick in 1868 and for Orkney and Shetland in 1873.
The book includes a wealth of detail; Tait’s grand visions for the future of Ireland; his establishment of a line of steamships to carry passengers and mails between England, Belgium and South America; his bankruptcy in 1869; and the scandals caused by the sexual exploits of his brother and his shipping manager.
It charts Tait’s years of self-imposed exile in the Ottoman Empire; his manufacture of cigarettes in the City of London, and his search for oil in the Caucasus.
It describes his years in Limerick, as a manufacturer of army uniforms, using steam powered sewing machines, as a Deputy Lieutenant and, for three consecutive years, Mayor of the City; sheds significant new light on his supply of uniforms to the Confederate States during the American Civil War, on his involvement in blockade running, and on his ultimately disastrous relationship with Alexander Collie, who is exposed as the perpetrator of extensive frauds both during and after the War; and brings to life Tait’s campaigns for election as an MP for Limerick in 1868 and for Orkney and Shetland in 1873.
The book includes a wealth of detail; Tait’s grand visions for the future of Ireland; his establishment of a line of steamships to carry passengers and mails between England, Belgium and South America; his bankruptcy in 1869; and the scandals caused by the sexual exploits of his brother and his shipping manager.
It charts Tait’s years of self-
The author, whose grandfather, Edward W Waite, married Sir Peter Tait’s daughter Barbara in 1891, has travelled extensively not only in the UK but also abroad in the course of his research for this book. This picture shows him at work in the Ottoman Bank Archives and Research Centre on one of several visits to Istanbul.
' ... a biography of one of Limerick's most important political figures
of the nineteenth century.' Limerick Chronicle
' ... gives us an in-depth insight into the workings of the world of commerce ... .' Limerick Leader
' This extraordinary and captivating slice of Victorian life ... .' Books Ireland
'... interesting, deftly-written, and handsomely produced ... The reader will rejoice for Mr Waite that he possessed such an interesting ancestor as inspiration, and congatulate him on writing a readable and thoroughly competent book.' The Irish Sword
'John E Waite's view of his ancestor is not obscured by sentiment, nor does
he fall into the trap of making unsubstantiated presumptions about the
reasons for and outcomes of his various difficulties.' BookView Ireland
'John E Waite is a very careful biographer. He has
followed his ancestor to Lerwick, Limerick and to Istanbul. ... He is
particularly good at unravelling complex commercial matters.' Shetland Times
' ... gives us an in-
' This extraordinary and captivating slice of Victorian life ... .' Books Ireland
'... interesting, deftly-
'John E Waite's view of his ancestor is not obscured by sentiment, nor does
he fall into the trap of making unsubstantiated presumptions about the
reasons for and outcomes of his various difficulties.' BookView Ireland
'John E Waite is a very careful biographer. He has
followed his ancestor to Lerwick, Limerick and to Istanbul. ... He is
particularly good at unravelling complex commercial matters.' Shetland Times
Sizes
234 mm x 153 mm (approx. 9 ins x 6 ins)352 pages, plus 16 pages of illustrations.
Both Hardback and Paperback
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ISBNs
Prices
Hardback £20
Paperback £12
Enquiries to info@milnford-publications.com
Peter Tait - 1882
