Sir John Esplen, 1st Baronet, (7 April 1863 – 7 February 1930) was an English shipbuilder.
Early life and education Esplen was born on 7 April 1863 at Blundellsands, near Liverpool, one of twelve children of William Esplen and Susannah (née Park). His father was a consulting engineer and naval architect.'Sir John Esplen' (obituary), The Engineer, 14 February 1930, page 182.Family records, Ancestry.com.William Esplen died on 8 December 1914 at 'The Willows' at Blundellsands, aged 84 ['Deaths', The Times, 10 December 1914, page 1].
Esplen received his early education at Liverpool College. He was apprenticed to the Liverpool engineering firm of Fawcett, Preston & Co Ltd and gained further experience with Earle's Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Hull.
Career After he completed his training, Esplen joined his father's business of consulting engineers and naval architects. He later became a partner in the business and was instrumental in establishing branches of the firm at London, Cardiff, Buenos Aires, New York and Montevideo.'Sir John Esplen' (obituary), The Times (London), 8 February 1930, page 14.
Esplen became chairman of Esplen & Sons Ltd of Liverpool, with branch offices worldwide, and Messrs Esplen, Son & Swainston Ltd of London. He also held directorships of about thirty other companies, mainly concerned with shipping and shipbuilding, often holding prominent positions on the boards.'Wills and Bequests', The Times (London), 26 June 1930, page 21.
During the First World War, he served as director of the Oversea Ship Purchase and Sale Department at the Ministry of Shipping, and continued as chief professional adviser into the 1920s.
Honours In 1918, Esplen was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his work for the Ministry of Shipping. In the June 1921 civil service honours, he was created a baronet, of Hardres Court in the County of Kent, with the letters patent issued on 14 July 1921.'Sir John Esplen, 1st Bt, BENR (British and European Nobility Register) website; accessed 2 December 2024.
Personal life and death Esplen married Laura Louise Dickenson on 26 January 1898.'Dowager Lady Esplen', The Times (London), 29 July 1936, page 14. The couple had two children.
He died on 7 February 1930 at Kensington in London, after a long illness. He left an estate valued at £38,551. Lady Esplen died on 28 July 1936 at Leyburn in Yorkshire.
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