Robert Septimus Gardiner

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, daughter of Baron von Ziegesar ; she wrote a book of poems, A Garland of Roses as well as a novel which remained unpublished.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, respetively.

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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).