Biography of William Euing

William Euing (1788-1874) was an insurance underwriter and broker born in the Partick area of Glasgow.

The son of a printer and calenderer, Euing worked for and then ran the family business until 1815. In 1817 he set up his own business William Euing & Co as an underwriter in Glasgow, which was to become one of the leading firms in the city. He managed the Association of Underwriters from 1832 until 1856.

Euing was an avid collector of books and musical manuscripts, with his wide interests being reflected in the variety and quality of his collection.

The collection comprises a general collection of 7,000 volumes, including 130 incunabula; a collection of bibles, psalters, books of prayers and hymns amounting to 3,000 volumes, including 24 incunabula; and a collection of 2,500 volumes of early printed music, including 7 incunabula.

The Euing Music Library, which consists of 2,500 volumes of early printed music, was originally bequeathed to Anderson's University (where he founded a chair in Music) but was transferred to Glasgow University Library in 1936.

The general collection is especially strong in 17th- and 18th-century English literature. Euing’s friendship with the Shakespearean scholar, James Orchard Halliwell (later Halliwell-Phillipps), resulted in the acquisition of many choice items in this field, including a copy of the Shakespeare's First Folio.

He bequeathed most of his magnificent collection of books to the University, now known as the Euing Collection, and the William Euing Fellowship is named for him.

Summary

William Euing
Insurance Broker
Born 20 May 1788.
Died 27 May 1874.
University Link: Benefactor
GU Degree:
Occupation categories: insurance brokers; printers
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Record last updated: 9th Aug 2017

University Connections

University Roles

• Benefactor

Awards

• William Euing Fellowship

Honours

• Commemoration Day

Images

William Euing