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David Ewen

1884 – 1957

New Zealand businessman

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About David Ewen

Lived 1884 – 1957 (aged 72–73). David Ewen was a New Zealand military personnel.

Sir David Alexander Ewen (1884 – 7 April 1957) was a New Zealand businessman, soldier and politician.

Biography Ewen was born in Middlesex in 1884. He was educated at Mill Hill School. In 1912 he married Marian Nathan. The next year they moved to New Zealand where they had one daughter and two sons. He began a successful business career as the managing director of Sargood Sons & Ewen Ltd. He was also chairman of the Sargood Trust, a charity the company funded to help crippled children throughout New Zealand.

He served in World War I with the New Zealand Field Artillery unit and was later an embarkation officer from 1915 to 1917. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1952 New Year Honours. He was involved with the boy scout movement and in 1953 he was awarded the highest scout service award Silver Wolf.

Ewen was an art enthusiast and donated many pictures to the National Art Gallery. For six years (1932 to 1938) he was president of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, and until his death was a member of the board of trustees of both the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum. He was also a former New Zealand governor of Rotary International.

Ewen died in 1957, aged 73. He was survived by his wife and three children.

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Important facts

Born
1884
Birth century
Died
1957
Occupation
Nationality
Awards
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire; Officer of the Order of the British Empire; Member of the Order of the British Empire; Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Also known as
David Alexander Ewen, Sir David Ewen

People in David Ewen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David Ewen's

Frequently asked questions

Who was David Ewen?

New Zealand businessman (1884–1957)

When was David Ewen born?

David Ewen was born in 1884.

When did David Ewen die?

David Ewen died in 1957.

What was David Ewen's occupation?

David Ewen was a military personnel.

What nationality was David Ewen?

David Ewen was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: David Ewen

· Wikidata: Q99496084

· DBpedia: David Ewen (politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Ewen. https://biography.guide/david-ewen/

MLA: "David Ewen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-ewen/.

Chicago: "David Ewen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-ewen/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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