| Background | Arthur McTaggart Short, born Arthur Short, at Bideford, co Devon, 1896 was fifth son of Captn. J.E. McTaggart Short, master mariner. Arthur changed his surname in 1939 to McTaggart Short. Arthur spent his early years in Bideford, moving to Swansea in 1915 and soon afterwards to Kenwith, Claude Place, Cardiff, later to Queen Anne Square, Cathays Park, Cardiff 1945, and Moy Road before 1970; in 1980 he resided at Lake Road East, Cardiff. McTaggart Short initially entered the drapery trade but gradually extended his business interests into ownership of shops and other commercial organisations including the Cardiff Arcade Co. He was a prominent member of the Cardiff business community, serving as president of the Chamber of Trade 1949, and with various committees and organisations. McTaggart Short took a keen interest in the Boy Scout movement rising to the position of Organising Secretary of the Cardiff County Boys Scouts Association for Wales. He was an active participant in further education as a lecturer and in the University College, Cardiff; in a number of political organisations including the Conservative Party; the Rotary Club; miscellaneous bodies and societies concerned with international affairs; the Church-in-Wales; theatre; the Freemasons; sports; and charities. McTaggart Short was a bachelor and died in 1983. He bore a number of formal addresses and qualifications including Chevalier of Danneborg, Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, Fellow of the FRSA, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Geographers. |