William Burrell

When his father died in 1885, he and his brother George took over the business while still in their twenties and transformed it into one of the leading cargo shipping companies in Britain.

[3] Burrell had developed an interest in art as a boy and he used his wealth to steadily build his collection, quickly surpassing his local contemporaries in terms of the quantity and quality of his artworks and firmly established an international reputation as a collector of good taste and judgement.

His primary passion was for Gothic art and he built an outstanding collection of medieval and Renaissance tapestries, stained glass and furniture.

[1] He was a faithful patron of Scottish artists including Joseph Crawhall II, George Henry and John Lavery.

[4] Burrell used his wealth to advance himself in society and to purchase Hutton Castle in Berwickshire, where his Gothic collections were displayed to great effect.

He wished to use his art collection for public good and lent large parts of it to galleries around the country so that as many people as possible could enjoy it.

Burrell simply wanted people to gain as much pleasure from art as he had, and to improve their lives through a better understanding and appreciation of beauty.

These conditions proved impossible and it was not until the city of Glasgow acquired Pollok Country Park in 1967 that a museum in the spirit of his wishes could be built.

In his will Burrell was very particular in stating: 'I have had the benefit of my wife's help in many ways including financial help and have received from her the greatest assistance and most wholehearted support in forming the collection .

it is my desire that it be distinctly understood that the entire gift is from my wife and myself and that her name shall always be associated with mine and shall receive full acknowledgement in all official literature relating to the collection'.

William and Constance were faithful and loving companions throughout their married lives, and operated very much in partnership in their business, collecting and philanthropic endeavours.

[7] After years of declining health, Constance Burrell died of heart failure on 15 August 1961 at Hutton Castle, aged 85.