Hector Grey

Hector Grey (14 January 1904 – 11 August 1985) was a Scottish street trader and company director in Ireland.

Early life and family Hector Grey was born Alexander Thomson Scott in Bowling, Dumbarton, Scotland on 14 January 1904. He was one of the 13 children of John Scott. Grey attended elementary school until he was 15 years old, becoming a cabin boy on a tramp steamer on routes around Asia. While working on these routes he met traders in Japan, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, learning haggling and street trading skills. He learnt how to speak four languages. Grey arrived in Dublin in 1928, living first in the Iveagh hostel where it is claimed he earned money by selling racing tips in Foster Place, College Green. On 6 October 1930, he married Annabella McCain. The couple had two daughters and three sons. He bought a mansion, Beeches, Grange Road, and 14 acres at Raheny. Despite his success, Grey was most at home at his pitch near the Ha'penny Bridge or at the Liffey market on Sundays. In 1969, Grey retired from running Hector Grey Ltd, at which time the company had made him a millionaire and had 100 employees. After retirement he remained a consultant and director of the company, and continued to operate a stall every Sunday in the Liffey market until his death. Grey lived at the Beeches, and later a flat in Portland Square. He died in his flat on 11 August 1985. Prominent figures from business, politics, and the Garda Síochána attended his funeral. Owing to his fame, the cortège filed past the Ha'penny Bridge as it made its way to the Free Church on Great Charles Street.