Who took over as chairman of the Asiatic Petroleum Company in July 1903?

• A. Edward L. Smith
• B. Marcus Samuel
• C. William H. Davies
• D. Peter Trevors

Answer: (B)

Marcus Samuel took over as chairman of the Asiatic Petroleum Company in July 1903. This reflected the strategic move to consolidate Shell’s Asian trading reach with Royal Dutch’s refining and production interests, placing the leadership of the new venture under the man who had already built a vast Asia-focused empire. Samuel’s appointment signaled that the joint venture would be steered by someone with deep experience in Asia’s oil trade, aligning the expanding Shell/Royal Dutch alliance under a single leadership vision. The other names aren’t tied to this specific leadership transition, so Samuel is the correct match for that moment in history.