Robert Septimus Gardiner
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Sir Robert Septimus Gardiner (1856-1936?) was a British businessman.
The seventh son of the Rev. George Gregory Gardiner, and grandson of John Gardiner, he attended Grenoble University and was fluent in French, German and English. A successful businessman who served on the boards of many companies, he his chief interests in mining and securities. He also was invested in the arts: he was the composer of the Lyric Polka, he became director and chairman of the board of the Alhambra Theatre.
In 1896 he married Alice von Ziegesar, daughter of Baron von Ziegesar; she wrote a book of poems, A Garland of Roses as well as a novel which remained unpublished. He obtained knighthood from the Lloyd George National Government in 1922, becoming a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John. He accomplished this by paying 15,000 pounds towards a newspaper called the Near East. He was the father of three children, Cyril, Gerald (later Lord Chancellor), and Nevile, born in 1897, 1900 and 1902, respectively.
1933 Colliery Year Book entry for Robert Septimus Gardiner
Director of John Bowes & Partners Ltd.; Director, Pelton Steamship Co. Ltd.; Chairman, Rodney Steamship Co. Ltd.; Director, Marley Hill Chemical Co. Ltd.; Chairman of The National and Foreign Securities Trust Ltd.
Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John; Officer of the Legion of Honour; Chevalier of the Order of Leopold.
1923 Colliery Year Book entry for Robert Septimus Gardiner
General Manager of Pelton Colliery Ltd.; Joint Managing Director of John Bowes & Partners Ltd.; formerly Managing Director of Meiros Colliery Ltd.; Managing Director Pelton Steamship Company Ltd.; Vice-President of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital; Trustee of the Chelsea Hospital for Women; formerly Hon. Treasurer of the Governesses Benevolent Institution.
Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John; Officer of the Legion of Honour.
source: Colliery Year Book and Coal Trades Directory. Published by The Louis Cassier Co. Ltd., from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian (1923, 1933).