Industrialist. Born in Paisley, Coats was educated at Paisley Grammar School and the University of Glasgow. He became a partner in the thread manufacturers J & P Coats, based in Paisley, which became one of the largest manufacturing enterprises in the world. On his retiral in 1856, his brother Thomas (1809 - 1883) became the driving force in the company. Coats made his home at Auchendrane House (South Ayrshire). Knighted in 1869, he was noted for his philanthropy and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1881. He died in Algiers, where he spent the winter months, but was buried next to his brother in Woodside Cemetery.
Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry
If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...
