Thomas Johnstone Lipton (1848-1931), Scottish yachtsman. Lipton, famous for founding the Lipton tea brand, was a keen yachtsman. He competed five times in the America's Cup between 1899 and 1930. This photograph, sent by Lipton to a friend, carried an inscription dated 17 October 1902, referring to himself as skipper of his steam yacht the Erin (purchased 1898). Lipton made his fortune by investing in tea plantations to supply his chain of grocery stores, starting in Glasgow and then extending across the UK. He had been created Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1901, and was made a baronet in 1902.