William Debenham
William Debenham | |
---|---|
Born | Alpheton, Suffolk, England | 18 April 1794
Died | 24 September 1863 Kensal Rise, London, England | (aged 69)
Nationality | British |
Citizenship | British |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1813–1863 |
Employer | Debenhams Ltd |
Organization | Debenhams |
Known for | Founder of Debenhams plc |
Title | Chair of Debenhams |
Term | 1813–1863 |
Successor | William Debenham Jnr |
Spouse |
Caroline Freebody (m. 1820) |
Children |
|
Relatives | Ernest Debenham Sir Piers Debenham Alison Debenham |
Website | debenhams |
William Debenham (/ˈdɛbənəm/; 18 April 1794 – 24 September 1863) was the founder of Debenhams, one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom.
Career
Born in 1794 in Alpheton in Suffolk,[1] William Debenham joined Thomas Clark in a partnership to manage a draper's store at 44 Wigmore Street in London.[2]
The partners later expanded the business such that it had stores on both sides of Wigmore Street, one known as Debenham & Clark and the other known as Clark & Debenham.[2] When William Debenham Snr retired a new partnership was formed between his son, William Debenham Jnr, and Clement Freebody.[2] This business became Debenhams, one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom.[2] William Debenham Snr died in 1863 at Kensal Rise in London.[1]
Family
William married Caroline Freebody in 1820 and together they had six sons and four daughters.[1]
References
Further reading
- Fine Silks and Oak Counters 1778 – 1978 by Maurice Corina, Published 1978, Hutchinson Benham ISBN 978-0-09-134910-3