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history |
Alexander Low Bruce (1839-1893) was born in Edinburgh. He joined the firm of William Younger and Company, brewers, where he gradually assumed responsibility for sales and eventually became deputy chairman. He married twice, the second time to Agnes Livingstone, the daughter of David Livingstone (1813-1873), the African missionary and explorer. When Bruce died he left a trust disposition and settlement in the hope that his sons would take an interest in the opening up of Africa to ?Christianity, Commerce and Civilization.? (SC70/4/273, ff. 811) The trustees invested the money on behalf of the beneficiaries in the purchase and development of two estates in Africa, Magomera and Lukulezi in Nyasaland (now Malawi), and commenced production of cotton, rubber, chillies and coffee. In 1913 the A L Bruce Trust: African estates were incorporated as a public limited company with the beneficiaries of the trust being awarded appropriate shareholdings. Both Alexander Low Bruce?s sons were appointed directors of the new company with the trustees. Trading by A L Bruce Estates Ltd continued until 1959 when the company was voluntarily wound up (BT2/8650). |