E. Neale Wigg

Edward Neale Wigg (1847 – 12 December 1927) was a prominent Australian businessman. He operated a successful book shop (started by his father), and later was a major investor or director in many important Australian mining companies, notably Broken Hill Proprietary.

He was born in Warwickshire, son of Edgar Smith Wigg (7 June 1818 – 15 October 1899) of Tunstall, Suffolk. Edgar Wigg emigrated to Australia in May 1849, and founded a successful stationery and book shop at 12 Rundle Street, in Adelaide, South Australia.

Edward and his younger brothers Alfred and Henry studied at J. L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution.

He joined his father’s business in 1867, when it became known as "E. S. Wigg & Son". They bought out rival Charles Platts, becoming South Australia's largest bookseller. (The Wiggs soon resold Platts' shop to one John Howell, who died a few years later.) They expanded their manufacturing facilities, opened another shop in Apollo Place, and added artists' supplies and educational material.

By 1885, the elder Wigg retired. William Laidlaw Davidson (1853-25 October 1924), who married his daughter Mary Jane Wigg (born 6 April 1860) on 1 September 1885, became manager. E. Neale Wigg remained head of the business. Wigg and Son opened branches in Broken Hill, Perth, Fremantle and Kalgoorlie. In 1904, they built a factory at 79-85 Port Road, Thebarton.

In 1910, E. Neale Wigg sold his interest in the company to the Davidson family, who retained the business name. In 1921, E. S. Wigg and Son moved to new premises at 65-69 Grenfell Street, on the Coromandel Place corner.

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