Age, Biography and Wiki

Bessie Williamson (Elizabeth Leitch Williamson) was born on 22 August, 1910 in Glasgow, Scotland, is an Elizabeth Leitch Williamson was distillery manager. Discover Bessie Williamson's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 71 years old?

Popular As Elizabeth Leitch Williamson
Occupation business woman owner of Laphroaig whisky distillery
Age 71 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 22 August 1910
Birthday 22 August
Birthplace Glasgow, Scotland
Date of death 26 May, 1982
Died Place Glasgow, Scotland
Nationality Oman

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 22 August. She is a member of famous manager with the age 71 years old group.

Bessie Williamson Height, Weight & Measurements

At 71 years old, Bessie Williamson height not available right now. We will update Bessie Williamson's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Bessie Williamson's Husband?

Her husband is Wishart Neil Munro Campbell

Family
Parents John Williamson (father)Agnes Whyte Paton (mother)
Husband Wishart Neil Munro Campbell
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Bessie Williamson Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Bessie Williamson worth at the age of 71 years old? Bessie Williamson’s income source is mostly from being a successful manager. She is from Oman. We have estimated Bessie Williamson's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income manager

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Timeline

1910

Elizabeth Leitch Williamson (22 August 1910 – 26 May 1982) was a Scottish distillery manager and former owner of the Laphroaig distillery noted for being the first woman to manage a Scotch whisky distillery during the 20th century.

She is credited as being instrumental in promoting single malt whisky, in particular Islay malts and Laphroaig, during the then-emerging US trend for single malts.

Williamson was born in Glasgow in 1910 the second child of Agnes Whyte (née Paton) and John Williamson, a mercantile clerk.

1918

In World War I her father was a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and died in France in 1918.

1927

She attended the University of Glasgow from 1927, intending to become a teacher, graduating with an MA in 1932.

While waiting to enrol at Jordanhill College of Education she worked as an office assistant with her uncle William Paton, an accountant working for the restaurateurs and purveyors Smith (Glasgow) Ltd.

1934

In 1934, Williamson took a summer job as a shorthand typist at Laphroaig distillery, on Islay, intending to stay a few months.

She worked directly with then owner Ian Hunter, and eventually became office manager.

1938

When Hunter suffered a stroke in 1938, Williamson took on responsibility for distribution to the United States.

By the time of World War II she had become the full-time manager of the distillery.

With operations mothballed during the war and the government seeking to use the distillery for storage and training purposes, Williamson succeeded in preventing the theft of stock or damage to equipment that had occurred at other distilleries such as Old Bushmills Distillery in Dublin and could have hampered recovery of production in the postwar period.

Over 400 tonnes of ammunition were stored at the facility during the early years of her tenure.

After production restarted following the war, Williamson continued to pursue the blending sales that had been the backbone of Laphroaig's business model beforehand, but starting to guide the business elsewhere.

1954

Upon Hunter's death in 1954, Williamson inherited the controlling interest in the Laphroaig distillery on Islay, Hunter's house Ardenistiel, and the island of Texa.

Williamson is credited with being among the first to anticipate the coming trend for single malt scotches and to position the Laphroaig product, and by extension other Islay malts, to the American market.

1960

Williamson was quoted on UK television in the 1960s saying "The secret of Islay whiskies is the peaty water and the peat ... there's an increasing demand for the [single] Islay whiskies. We can't supply the demand that we have for our whiskies."

1961

The Scotch Whisky Association named Williamson as its American spokesperson from 1961 to 1964 and she toured the United States representing Islay whisky to buyers and distributors.

While visiting the US she met her future husband, the singer and entertainer Wishart Campbell and they married in 1961.

1962

In 1962 Williamson sold a third of her business shares to Seager Evans and Co.

1967

The balance of ownership was released in 1967 to Long John Distilleries.

1972

Williamson continued as managing director of the distillery until her retirement in 1972.

1975

Long John International was acquired by Whitbread & Co in 1975 and sold to Allied Lyons, now Allied Domecq, in 1990.

1982

Williamson died at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow on 26 May 1982.

2011

Fortune Brands split up its business product lines in 2011, forming its spirits business into Beam Inc. Beam was purchased by Suntory in April 2014.