Arthur Anderson

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Arthur Anderson (1792 - 1868), born in the Böd of Gremista, Lerwick, was a businessman and Liberal politician. He was co-founder of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O). For most of his life he lived in London.

He founded the Shetland Journal and the Shetland Fishery Company at Vaila. He served as a radical Liberal Member of Parliament for the Orkney and Shetland constituency. He provided the funds for the building of (and later endowed) the Anderson Educational Institute which was opened in November 1862, now the Anderson High School,

19th C. engraving of 'Anderson's Institute', apparently unsigned, from Robert Cowie book

"providing a school such that from it the youth of Shetland could proceed to any University". He also provided funds for the Widows Homes in Lerwick, in memory of his mother.

Anderson was a close friend of James Scott R.N., who acted as his policital agent. John Nicolson wrote an early biography.