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James Stevenson (born 2 April 1873 ) was a businessman and civil servant. He was educated at the Kilmarnock Academy . It would appear that his career there was interrupted - perhaps because his parents had had to withdraw him due to an inability to pay school fees - for when he enrolled in 1887 he had a previous admission number.

Stevenson joined the Johnnie Walker whisky blending company ( 1888 ), working his way up to become its joint Managing Director. He is credited with having come up with the company's advertising slogan 'Born in 1820 - still going strong'.

During the First World War he was appointed to a senior position in the Ministry of Munitions and in return for his service was created a Baronet in 1917. After the war he continued in government service and from 1921 he worked as a personal advisor to Winston Churchill (then Secretary of State for the Colonies).

Immediately after World War I he was responsible for the Stevenson Plan which was an effort by the UK government to stabilize low rubber prices after a world glut of rubber.

He later chaired the Standing Committee responsible for the British Empire Exhibition (1924-5). Wembley Stadium (in London) had been built as a temporary home for the exhibition, but Scotsman Stevenson fought successfully to prevent its demolition and it continued as an English national stadium into the 21st Century.


BARONS STEVENSON OF HOLMBURY ( 1924 )

  • James Stevenson, 1st Baron Stevenson of Holmbury ( 18731926 ) - title extinct from 1926



BARONS STEVENSON OF CODDENHAM ( 1999 )



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