BURNS, SIR GEORGE, BART. (1795-1890), British ship owner, was born in Glasgow on Dec. 10, 1795, the son of the Rev. John Burns. In partnership with a brother, James, he began as a Glasgow general merchant about 1818, and in 1824, in con junction with a Liverpool partner, Hugh Matthie, started a line of small sailing ships which ran between Glasgow and Liverpool. As business increased the vessels were also sailed to Belfast, and steamers afterwards replaced the sailing ships. In 1830 a partner ship was entered into with the Mclvers of Liverpool, in which George Burns devoted himself specially to the management of the ships. In 1838 with Samuel Cunard, Robert Napier and other capitalists, the partners (McIver and Burns) started the "Cunard" Atlantic line of steamships. They secured the British Govern ment's contract for the carrying of the mails of North America. The sailings were begun with four steamers of about 1,000 tons each, which made the passage in 15 days at some 81 knots per hour. George Burns retired from the Glasgow management of the line in 186o. He was made a baronet in 1889. He died on June 2, 1890 at Castle Wemyss.