William Charles Angliss Australian businessman Date of Birth: 29.01.1865 Country: Australia

Biography of William Charles Angliss

William Charles Angliss, also known as a prominent businessman, politician, and philanthropist, was an Australian entrepreneur and one of the founders of the meat export industry. He was born in Dudley, Worcestershire, England, to a tailor named William Angliss and his wife Eliza Fiddian.

Angliss began his education in Hawkhurst, Kent, and later moved to London, where he learned the basics of the butchery trade under the guidance of his uncle. However, he did not stay long in England and soon relocated to New York. After spending 2.5 years in North America, Angliss moved once again, this time to Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.

After working in Brisbane and Sydney for a while, Angliss finally settled in Melbourne, where he opened his own butcher shop. Gradually expanding his business, Angliss became one of the first experts in the world in the refrigeration and transportation of meat products. His trade brought him substantial profits, and in 1905, he opened another abattoir in Footscray.

Angliss' influence grew rapidly, and soon his network expanded to New South Wales and Queensland. He also ventured into other areas of activity, such as pastoral farms and cattle ranches.

On March 31, 1919, Angliss married Jacobena Grutzner at St. Columb's Church in Hawthorn, Victoria. They had one child, a daughter named Eirene Rose. Jacobena herself became a well-known Australian philanthropist, patron of the arts, and social activist.

From 1912 to 1952, Angliss served in the Legislative Council of Victoria, representing the agricultural region north of Melbourne. His most significant political achievement was the introduction of privileges that significantly increased meat exports.

In 1934, Angliss sold his meat business to the British firm 'Vesteys' for 1.5 billion pounds sterling. However, he retained most of his agricultural land.

In 1939, William Angliss was knighted. Like his wife, he dedicated a considerable amount of time to various charitable projects, such as the Salvation Army and children's aid funds. In 1940, he made a substantial donation to establish a technical school specializing in professional education and training for the food industry. Initially called the William Angliss Food Trades School, this institution still operates today as the William Angliss Institute of TAFE.

In his will, William specifically mentioned leaving one million pounds sterling to two charitable foundations operating in Victoria and Queensland under the auspices of the main Angliss Charitable Fund.