Does anyone know what the Victorian meaning of the phrase "Merchant Prince" is when applied to a person?
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Merchant Prince?
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Had a google and found this definition
"Rich and powerful merchant.
An extremely wealthy, powerful and prestigious merchant, especially in Renaissance Italy."
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Oh - just had a google, there is a book called this, biography of some Canadian chap(looks like I guessed right?)
. McRae was Vancouver's "merchant prince," a businessman, a self-made aristocrat
I guess our equivalent would be someone like Richard BransonLast edited by Heather Positive Thinker; 13-05-08, 10:24.
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I just mean whenever I've heard the term used, it's probably been in the narration of documentaries about bold adventurers opening up trade routes and so on, so it sounds impressive to me.KiteRunner
Every five years or so I look back on my life and I have a good... laugh" (Indigo Girls, "Watershed")
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Kate
Possibly it stems from the situation when only Royalty (Princes) had the money to go exploring and opening up trade routes?
It is definitely open to two interpretations - lots of my humble grocers describe themselves as "merchants" on census and certificates etc, so it was seen as something admirable by the working classes.
OC
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I suppose if you saw yourself as better class (not necesserily better off financially, but better educated and from better stock) than some upstart son-of-an-ag-lab-who-should-know-his-place, you might feel threatened by their success.....it would therefore be necessary to look down on them in order to remain felling superior!
My mother is only irritated by the ordinary "trade" on our tree, independent shopkeepers and the like.....she is quite happy with the merchant princes! And she was quite cross when I told her we are not related to THE Sainsbury or Clarks Shoes families!!
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I suppose my Gamage line would be Merchant Princes too
I suppose Howard Hughes is another one that comes to mind and the Marks and Spencers/Tescos/Woolworths of thisworld.
Kate, I think you are referring to an earlier period rather than Victorian. When Merchant Princes were in places like Italy (the Medicis etc.)Last edited by Heather Positive Thinker; 13-05-08, 11:23.
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