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{{Short description|Businessman in Calcutta, India (1850–1913)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific-prefix = [[Sir]]
| name = Apcar Alexander Apcar
| image = Harrow cricket team of 1869 for the match against Eton.jpg
| name = Apcar Alexander Apcar, [[Order of the Star of India|KCSI]]
| image ={{#statements:P18}}
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1850|10|03|df=y}}
| birth_date = 1851
| birth_place = [[Kolkata]], Bengal, India
| birth_place = [[Kolkata|Calcutta]], [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[Company rule in India|India]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1913|04|17|1850|10|03|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1913|04|17|1850|10|03|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Bangalore]], Mysore, India
| death_place = [[Bangalore]], [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]], [[British Raj|India]]
| nationality = British
| nationality = [[British citizenship]]
| other_names =
| other_names =
| occupation = Merchant
| occupation = Merchant
| known_for =
| known_for =
}}
}}

Sir '''Apcar Alexander Apcar''' [[Order of the Star of India|K.C.S.I.]] (3 October 1850 – 17 April 1913) was a wealthy businessman in Calcutta (now [[Kolkata]]), India His family had made their fortune in the opium trade with China. He was president of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, sat on the Imperial Legislative Council and in 1903 was knighted. He owned a racehorse stud, and for several years was the leading figure in the Indian racing world.
'''Sir Apcar Alexander Apcar''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|KCSI}} (1851 – 17 April 1913) was a wealthy [[Armenians|Armenian]] businessman in Calcutta (now [[Kolkata]]), India. His family had made their fortune in the opium trade with China. He was president of the [[Bengal Chamber of Commerce]], sat on the [[Imperial Legislative Council]], and in 1903 was knighted. He owned a racehorse stud, and for several years was the leading figure in the Indian racing world.


==Early years==
==Early years==

[[File:Harrow cricket team of 1869 for the match against Eton.jpg|thumb|Harrow cricket XI during the match against Eton in 1869. A. A. Apcar is second from the right.]]
[[File:Harrow cricket team of 1869 for the match against Eton.jpg|thumb|Harrow cricket XI during the match against Eton in 1869. A. A. Apcar is second from the right.]]
⚫
Apcar Alexander Apcar was of [[Armenians|Armenian]] origin, from a family that settled in [[Bengal]] in the early 19th century.
His family owned [[Apcar and Company]], which ran a steamship line trading between Calcutta and the treaty ports of China and made its fortune in the Chinese opium trade.{{sfn|Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar: The Times}}


⚫
Apcar Alexander Apcar was of [[Armenians|Armenian]] origin, from a family that settled in [[Bengal]] in the early 19th century. His family owned [[Apcar and Company]], which ran a steamship line trading between Calcutta and the treaty ports of China and made its fortune in the Chinese opium trade.
⚫
He was the second son of Apcar Aratoon Apcar, a merchant whose Apcar Line of steamers traded with [[Burma]], the [[Straits Settlements]] and the Far East.{{sfn|Late Sir A. A. Apcar: Straits Times}}


⚫
He was the second son of Apcar Aratoon Apcar, a merchant whose [[Apcar Line]] of steamers traded with [[Burma]], the [[Straits Settlements]] and the [[Far East]].<ref name=straits>{{cite news |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19130430-1.2.70 |title=Late Sir A. A. Apcar |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=30 April 1913 |page=9 |access-date=2021-04-16}}</ref>
⚫
Apcar Alexander Apcar was born in Calcutta in 1850. He was educated at [[Harrow School|Harrow]], where he was a contemporary of [[Lord Curzon]].{{sfn|Seth|1937|p=616}}{{sfn|Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar: The Times}}
⚫
He played for his school on the [[cricket]] XI in various matches between May 1868 and July 1869, including matches with [[Eton College]], [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] and [[I Zingari]].{{sfn|Other Matches Played by Alexander Apcar}}


⚫
Apcar Alexander Apcar was born in Calcutta in 1851. He was educated at [[Harrow School|Harrow]],<ref name=straits /> where he was a contemporary of [[Lord Curzon]].{{sfn|Seth|1937|p=616}}
⚫
His performance was not exceptional.{{sfn|Philathletic Intelligence: Cricket|1870|pp=11-12}}
⚫
He played for his school on the [[cricket]] XI in various matches between May 1868 and July 1869, including matches with [[Eton College]], [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] and [[I Zingari]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Other Matches Played by Alexander Apcar |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/436/436020/Other_matches.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104182559/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/436/436020/Other_matches.html |archive-date=4 November 2013 |access-date=2013-11-04 |website=CricketArchive }}</ref>
After returning to Calcutta he became known as a strong [[rackets (sport)|racket]]s player and an excellent [[cricket]]er.{{sfn|Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar: The Times}}

He was both a forceful batsman and a brilliant fielder.{{sfn|Late Sir A. A. Apcar: Straits Times}}
⚫
His performance was not exceptional.{{sfn|Philathletic Intelligence: Cricket|1870|pp=11-12}} After returning to Calcutta he became a notable [[rackets (sport)|racket]]s player and [[cricket]]er.<ref name=straits />


==Businessman==
==Businessman==


Alexander Apcar's father died on 16 May 1863 at the age of 85.
Alexander Apcar's father died on 16 May 1863 at the age of 85. Alexander became head of the family firm after the death of his three elder brothers, Apcar, Seth and Thomas.{{sfn|Seth|2004|p=127}}
Alexander became head of the family firm after the death of his three elder brothers, Apcar, Seth and Thomas.{{sfn|Seth|2004|p=127}}


Apcar continued the family trading business, living at their home in Russell Street, where he entertained many people.{{sfn|Late Sir A. A. Apcar: Straits Times}}{{efn|The Calcutta Turf Club is now housed in the former home of the Apcars, a two-story Palladian-style building dating to the early 19th century and maintained in perfect condition. The building has a portico on the north side and a veranda on the south. The floors of the ground level are marble, and the doors made of teak. The vestibule is two stories high, with an elegantly carved wooden staircase leading to the upper floor where the family had their private rooms.{{sfn|Morris|2005|p=49}}}}
Apcar continued the family trading business, living at their home in Russell Street, where he entertained many people.{{efn|The Calcutta Turf Club is now housed in the former home of the Apcars, a two-story Palladian-style building dating to the early 19th century and maintained in perfect condition. The building has a portico on the north side and a veranda on the south. The floors of the ground level are marble, and the doors made of teak. The vestibule is two stories high, with an elegantly carved wooden staircase leading to the upper floor where the family had their private rooms.{{sfn|Morris|2005|p=49}}}}


The building is at 11 Russell Street.{{sfn|Morris|2005|p=56}} For many years Apcar was the consul for Siam in Calcutta.
The building is at 11 Russell Street.{{sfn|Morris|2005|p=56}} For many years Apcar was the consul for Siam in Calcutta. He was vice-president of the [[Bengal Chamber of Commerce]] in 1903, and its president from 1904 to 1907.
He was vice-president of the [[Bengal Chamber of Commerce]] in 1903, and its president from 1904 to 1907.


He represented the Chamber of Commerce in the [[Viceregal Legislative Council]] from 1900 to 1909, in the Bengal Legislative Council and in the Port Trust. In 1903 he was made a [[C.S.I.]], and later that year was knighted at a Royal Durbar in [[Delhi]].{{sfn|Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar: The Times}}
He represented the Chamber of Commerce in the [[Viceregal Legislative Council]] from 1900 to 1909, in the Bengal Legislative Council and in the Port Trust. In 1903, he was made a [[Companion of the Order of the Star of India|C.S.I.]], and later that year was knighted at a Royal Durbar in [[Delhi]].


==Horse racing==
==Horse racing==
⚫
[[File:Royal Calcutta Turf Club Race Stands - Viceroy's Cup Day.png|thumb|Royal Calcutta Turf Club Race Stands on Viceroy's Cup Day, c.1910. Apcar was influential in having the stands built.]]
Apcar owned a horse breeding farm in [[Australia]], producing a stud of race horses.
He used to keep his horses at [[Bangalore]] in the summer, where it was relatively cool,
and in the later part of his life spent most of the hot season there.{{sfn|Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar: The Times}}


⚫
[[File:Royal Calcutta Turf Club Race Stands - Viceroy's Cup Day.png|thumb|Royal Calcutta Turf Club Race Stands on [[Viceroy's Cup Day]], c.1910. Apcar was influential in having the stands built.]]
⚫
For some time he was president of the [[Calcutta Turf Club]]. Afterwards he was an honorary steward. He played a large role in having a new grandstand erected at the club's racecourse, modeled on the [[Longchamp Racecourse]] grandstand.{{sfn|Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar: The Times}} The stands were built between 1905 and 1907, and stand membership was opened to the public.{{sfn|Royal Calcutta Turf Club: indiarace.com}}

Apcar owned a horse breeding farm in [[Australia]], producing a stud of race horses. He used to keep his horses at [[Bangalore]] in the summer, where it was relatively cool, and in the later part of his life spent most of the hot season there.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

⚫
For some time he was president of the [[Calcutta Turf Club]]. Afterwards he was an honorary steward. He played a large role in having a new grandstand erected at the club's racecourse, modeled on the [[Longchamp Racecourse]] grandstand. The stands were built between 1905 and 1907, and stand membership was opened to the public.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}


Apcar raced as a partner of Malcolm Peter Gaspar, also of Armenian origin.
Apcar raced as a partner of Malcolm Peter Gaspar, also of Armenian origin.
They were great rivals of [[Lord William Beresford]], who strongly believed in the merits of English thoroughbreds. In his later years he raced his horses in venues at [[Poona]], [[Bombay]] and [[Bangalore]]. After Beresford retired Apcar was the leading racer in India.
They were great rivals of [[Lord William Beresford]], who strongly believed in the merits of English thoroughbreds. In his later years he raced his horses in venues at [[Poona]], [[Bombay]] and [[Bangalore]]. After Beresford retired Apcar was the leading racer in India.
His Great Scott won the Viceroy's cup three times, as did his Mayfowl.{{sfn|Late Sir A. A. Apcar: Straits Times}}
His Great Scott won the Viceroy's cup three times, as did his Mayfowl.<ref name=straits />


Apcar died in Bangalore on 17 April 1913<ref>{{Cite news |date=1913-04-19 |title=DEATHS. |page=1 |work=[[The Times]] |issue=40190 |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/archive/frame/article/1913-04-19/1/3.html |access-date=2021-04-16 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210416091624/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/archive/frame/article/1913-04-19/1/3.html |archive-date=16 April 2021 |quote=APCAR.—On the 17th inst., suddenly, Sir Apcar Alexander Apcar, K.C.S.I. |url-status=live }}</ref> at the age of 62. He was unmarried, and was succeeded by a doctor cousin.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}
Apcar, died in Bangalore on 17 April 1913 at the age of 62. He was unmarried, and was succeeded by an uncle.{{sfn|Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar: The Times}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 60: Line 62:


==References==
==References==

'''Notes'''
'''Notes'''
{{notes}}
{{notelist}}
'''Citations'''
'''Citations'''
{{reflist |colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist}}
'''Sources'''
'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
⚫
*{{cite book|last=Morris|first=Jan|title=Stones of Empire: The Buildings of the Raj|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8zD1Ugfq9KwC&pg=PA49|access-date=2013-11-03|year=2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-280596-6}}
*{{cite journal|ref={{harvid|Late Sir A. A. Apcar: Straits Times}}|url=http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19130430-1.2.70.aspx
*{{cite book|ref={{harvid|Philathletic Intelligence: Cricket|1870}}|title=The Harrovian|url=https://archive.org/details/harrovian00schogoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/harrovian00schogoog/page/n18 11]|access-date=2013-11-04|chapter=Philathletic Intelligence: Cricket|year=1870|publisher=Harrow School}}
|title=Late Sir A. A. Apcar|journal=The Straits Times|date=30 April 1913|page=9|accessdate=2013-11-03}}
⚫
*{{cite book|last=Seth|first=Mesrovb Jacob|title=Armenians in India, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day: A Work of Original Research|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BlreO8bmK30C&pg=PA616|access-date=2013-11-03|year=1937|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0812-2}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv
*{{Cite book |last=Seth |first=Mesrovb J. |title=History of the Armenians in India |publisher=Gorgias Press LLC |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-59333-049-1 |doi=10.31826/9781463208615}}
⚫
|last=Morris|first=Jan|title=Stones of Empire: The Buildings of the Raj|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8zD1Ugfq9KwC&pg=PA49|accessdate=2013-11-03
|year=2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-280596-6}}
*{{cite journal |ref={{harvid|Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar: The Times}} |url=http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2006-09/1157114838
|title=Obituary Sir A.A. Apcar|journal=The Times |year=1913|accessdate=2013-11-03}}
*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|Other Matches Played by Alexander Apcar}}|url=http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/436/436020/Other_matches.html
|title=Other Matches Played by Alexander Apcar|work=Cricket Archive|accessdate=2013-11-04}}
*{{cite book|ref={{harvid|Philathletic Intelligence: Cricket}}|title=The Harrovian|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=iQcIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA11|accessdate=2013-11-04
|chapter=Philathletic Intelligence: Cricket|year=1870|publisher=Harrow School}}
*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|Royal Calcutta Turf Club: indiarace.com}}|url=http://www.indiarace.com/CalcuttaTurf.aspx
|title=Royal Calcutta Turf Club|work=indiarace.com|accessdate=2013-11-02}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv
⚫
|last=Seth|first=Mesrovb Jacob|title=Armenians in India, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day: A Work of Original Research
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=BlreO8bmK30C&pg=PA616|accessdate=2013-11-03
|year=1937|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0812-2}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv
|last=Seth|first=Mesrovb J.|title=History of the Armenians in India|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WmSWcruCGVEC&pg=PA127|accessdate=2013-11-04
|date=2004-01-01|publisher=Gorgias Press LLC|isbn=978-1-59333-049-1}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


{{Persondata
| NAME = Apcar, Apcar Alexander
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = wealthy businessman in Calcutta, India
| DATE OF BIRTH = 3 October 1850
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Kolkata]], Bengal, India
| DATE OF DEATH = 17 April 1913
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Bangalore]], Mysore, India
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Apcar, Apcar Alexander}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Apcar, Apcar Alexander}}
[[Category:1850 births]]
[[Category:1851 births]]
[[Category:1913 deaths]]
[[Category:1913 deaths]]
[[Category:People educated at Harrow School]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India]]
[[Category:Indian cricketers]]
[[Category:Indian knights]]
[[Category:Indian knights]]
[[Category:People from the Bengal Presidency]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Indian merchants]]
[[Category:Indian merchants]]
[[Category:Indian Armenians]]
[[Category:Indian people of Armenian descent]]
[[Category:People from British India]]

Latest revision as of 00:45, 23 May 2024

Sir
Apcar Alexander Apcar, KCSI
Born1851
Calcutta, Bengal, India
Died17 April 1913(1913-04-17) (aged 62)
Bangalore, Mysore, India
NationalityBritish citizenship
OccupationMerchant

Sir Apcar Alexander Apcar KCSI (1851 – 17 April 1913) was a wealthy Armenian businessman in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. His family had made their fortune in the opium trade with China. He was president of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, sat on the Imperial Legislative Council, and in 1903 was knighted. He owned a racehorse stud, and for several years was the leading figure in the Indian racing world.

Early years

[edit]
Harrow cricket XI during the match against Eton in 1869. A. A. Apcar is second from the right.

Apcar Alexander Apcar was of Armenian origin, from a family that settled in Bengal in the early 19th century. His family owned Apcar and Company, which ran a steamship line trading between Calcutta and the treaty ports of China and made its fortune in the Chinese opium trade.

He was the second son of Apcar Aratoon Apcar, a merchant whose Apcar Line of steamers traded with Burma, the Straits Settlements and the Far East.[1]

Apcar Alexander Apcar was born in Calcutta in 1851. He was educated at Harrow,[1] where he was a contemporary of Lord Curzon.[2] He played for his school on the cricket XI in various matches between May 1868 and July 1869, including matches with Eton College, Marylebone Cricket Club and I Zingari.[3]

His performance was not exceptional.[4] After returning to Calcutta he became a notable rackets player and cricketer.[1]

Businessman

[edit]

Alexander Apcar's father died on 16 May 1863 at the age of 85. Alexander became head of the family firm after the death of his three elder brothers, Apcar, Seth and Thomas.[5]

Apcar continued the family trading business, living at their home in Russell Street, where he entertained many people.[a]

The building is at 11 Russell Street.[7] For many years Apcar was the consul for Siam in Calcutta. He was vice-president of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce in 1903, and its president from 1904 to 1907.

He represented the Chamber of Commerce in the Viceregal Legislative Council from 1900 to 1909, in the Bengal Legislative Council and in the Port Trust. In 1903, he was made a C.S.I., and later that year was knighted at a Royal Durbar in Delhi.

Horse racing

[edit]
Royal Calcutta Turf Club Race Stands on Viceroy's Cup Day, c.1910. Apcar was influential in having the stands built.

Apcar owned a horse breeding farm in Australia, producing a stud of race horses. He used to keep his horses at Bangalore in the summer, where it was relatively cool, and in the later part of his life spent most of the hot season there.[citation needed]

For some time he was president of the Calcutta Turf Club. Afterwards he was an honorary steward. He played a large role in having a new grandstand erected at the club's racecourse, modeled on the Longchamp Racecourse grandstand. The stands were built between 1905 and 1907, and stand membership was opened to the public.[citation needed]

Apcar raced as a partner of Malcolm Peter Gaspar, also of Armenian origin. They were great rivals of Lord William Beresford, who strongly believed in the merits of English thoroughbreds. In his later years he raced his horses in venues at Poona, Bombay and Bangalore. After Beresford retired Apcar was the leading racer in India. His Great Scott won the Viceroy's cup three times, as did his Mayfowl.[1]

Apcar died in Bangalore on 17 April 1913[8] at the age of 62. He was unmarried, and was succeeded by a doctor cousin.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

  1. ^ The Calcutta Turf Club is now housed in the former home of the Apcars, a two-story Palladian-style building dating to the early 19th century and maintained in perfect condition. The building has a portico on the north side and a veranda on the south. The floors of the ground level are marble, and the doors made of teak. The vestibule is two stories high, with an elegantly carved wooden staircase leading to the upper floor where the family had their private rooms.[6]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d "Late Sir A. A. Apcar". The Straits Times. 30 April 1913. p. 9. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  2. ^ Seth 1937, p. 616.
  3. ^ "Other Matches Played by Alexander Apcar". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  4. ^ Philathletic Intelligence: Cricket 1870, pp. 11–12.
  5. ^ Seth 2004, p. 127.
  6. ^ Morris 2005, p. 49.
  7. ^ Morris 2005, p. 56.
  8. ^ "DEATHS". The Times. No. 40190. 19 April 1913. p. 1. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021. APCAR.—On the 17th inst., suddenly, Sir Apcar Alexander Apcar, K.C.S.I.

Sources

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