Shaw , Sir , Eyre Massey , 1828-1908 , Knight , fire officer

Eyre Massey Shaw was born in County Cork, Ireland, and educated locally and at Trinity College Dublin. He spent several years in the navy before becoming superintendent of the police and fire services in Belfast in 1860; his success in this role led to his appointment a year later as the head of the London Fire Engine Establishment, later to become the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. Shaw was uncomfortable working under the new London County Council (constituted in 1889) and resigned from the job in 1891; he received a knighthood on his retirement.