Thomas Blake Glover was born - On this day in history

On 6 June 1838, Sir Thomas Blake Glover, the first non Japanese person to be awarded the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, was born in Fraserburgh. Glover was the son of a coastguard officer and was brought up in Bridge of Don with his seven siblings.

After leaving school, Glover began his world travels with a career in shipping and found success in Japan through the illegal trading of arms. Glover brought the first steam train (The Iron Duke) to Japan and settled in his adopted country - he is shown here holding his grandson, with his family around him. His other successes in Japan included creating the first commercial coal mine and the first dry dock.

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Further reading

Scottish Samurai: Thomas Blake Glover by Alexander McKay