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Henry Shields (9 January 1863 - 14 March 1909) was a Scottish painter and linen manufacturer.

Life
His father was John Shields (1822 - 25 December 1889) from Dunfermline. He set up a linen manufacturing business, John Shields Ltd., in Perth in Kinnoull Street. Before long it prospered and he was able to set up a sizeable establishment in Dunkeld Road known as the Wallace Linen Works c. 1868. Shields was able to own Balhousie Castle from his monies.

His mother was Janet Philip (1822 - 27 April 1865) also from Dunfermline. They married in Dunfermline on 23 March 1844.

Henry Shields was born on 9 January 1863. He had older brothers Alexander and Robert Philip, who both became partners in John Shields Ltd. His cousin Harry Gordon Shields also stayed with the family.

Henry went to Perth Academy, then Dollar Academy and then Madras College at St. Andrews.

The family were staying at 19 Melville Street in Perth when his mother Janet died.

John Shields married again after Janet's death. In 1884 he married Helen Clark Mills (10 February 1851 - 22 May 1938), known as Nelly, in Newington, Edinburgh. Nelly was the daughter of the late James Mills, a Dundee manufacturer.

In 1889 Alexander had taken his father and brother Robert Philip to court to try and sell the company, but his attempt was refused by the Court of Session. Alexander gave up the partnership after his aborted sell off attempt. John Shields later died that year of a bronchial infection. That left Robert the sole partner.

Robert Shields died on 25 December 1893 at the age of 39; it was remarked that he was in delicate health since his father died. Both Henry Shields and his cousin Harry Gordon Shields would assume directorship of the company.

Henry Shields stayed at Morven, Perth in 1897. He became a Justice of the Peace for the county of Perthshire.

In 1905 he was re-elected a director of the John Shields Co. in Perth.

Art
He studied art at Madras College in St. Andrews.

In 1892 Shields sent to the RGI two works for exhibiting: one a view of the Firth of Clyde; the other a view of fishing boats leaving Tarbet harbour.

In 1897 he exhibited at the Imperial Institute a work depicting a race: For The Queen's Cup.

He painted a linen banner for the local Weavers Incorporation of Perth. This had the design for the Weavers Incorporation together with the Perth Coat of Arms. It was on view in Perth Art Gallery in 1937.

Death
Like his brother Robert Philip Shields, Henry was described as having indifferent health running the family business. His death came on 14 March 1909 in Glasgow.

It was reported by the Dundee Courier of Tuesday 16 March 1909: DEATH OF PERTH MANUFACTURER. The death has occurred at Glasgow of Mr Henry Shields, of the firm of John Shields & Co., Perth. For several years Mr Shields was Director of the Company, and took an active share in the management of the firm. Although had been in indifferent health for some time his demise has created surprise and regret in the Fair City, where he was well known in business circles. Mr Shields was about fifty years of age.

The funeral took place in Westhill Cemetery in Perth on 17 March 1909.

His estate of Henry Shields was valued at £7314, 8 shillings and 9 pence.

Works
A book Famous Clyde Yachts was published in 1888, written by Henry Shields and James Meikle. It depicted 31 colour plates of Shields' watercolours depicting Clyde yachts in racing action, with Meikle adding relevant text. John Meikle previously authored a book on Clydeside yachts called Yachting Yarns And Clydeside Sketches.