Thomas de la Rue
Encyclopedia
Thomas de la Rue was a printer from Guernsey
who, from modest beginnings, founded De La Rue
plc, a printing company which is now the world's largest commercial security printer and papermaker.
, Thomas de la Rue was apprenticed to a master-printer at St Peter Port
in 1803.
He went into business with Tom Greenslade and together they launched the newspaper, Le Publiciste. Shortly thereafter Thomas de la Rue launched his own publication, Le Miroir politique.
In 1816 he left Guernsey
for London
where he initially established a business making straw hats. Then in 1830 together with Samuel Cornish and William Rock he founded a business of cardmakers, hot pressers and enamellers. De la Rue was the first company who began printing of playing cards, and it received the right to do that in 1831; 1832 was the year when the first deck of cards had been printed out by this company. Soon afterwards, Thomas hired Owen Jones
, a well-known designer and architect of that time.
By 1837 his wife, both his sons and his eldest daughter were involved in the business. In 1855 Thomas was made a Chevalier
of the Légion d'honneur
. In 1858 he retired from De La Rue
handing over the management of the business to his sons William Frederick and Warren
.
Thomas de la Rue died in London
in 1866.
has issued two sets of postage stamps commemorating his life and achievements, in 1971 and 1993.
There is a pub
in the Pollet, St Peter Port
, Guernsey
named Thomas de la Rue.
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
who, from modest beginnings, founded De La Rue
De La Rue
De La Rue plc is a British security printing, papermaking and cash handling systems company headquartered in Basingstoke, Hampshire. It also has a factory on the Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, and other facilities at Loughton, Essex and Bathford, Somerset...
plc, a printing company which is now the world's largest commercial security printer and papermaker.
Biography
Born in La Forêt in GuernseyGuernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
, Thomas de la Rue was apprenticed to a master-printer at St Peter Port
St Peter Port
Saint Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey as well as the main port. The population in 2001 was 16,488. In Guernésiais and in French, historically the official language of Guernsey, the name of the town and its surrounding parish is St Pierre Port. The "port" distinguishes this parish from...
in 1803.
He went into business with Tom Greenslade and together they launched the newspaper, Le Publiciste. Shortly thereafter Thomas de la Rue launched his own publication, Le Miroir politique.
In 1816 he left Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
for London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where he initially established a business making straw hats. Then in 1830 together with Samuel Cornish and William Rock he founded a business of cardmakers, hot pressers and enamellers. De la Rue was the first company who began printing of playing cards, and it received the right to do that in 1831; 1832 was the year when the first deck of cards had been printed out by this company. Soon afterwards, Thomas hired Owen Jones
Owen Jones (architect)
Owen Jones was a London-born architect and designer of Welsh descent. He was a versatile architect and designer, and one of the most influential design theorists of the nineteenth century...
, a well-known designer and architect of that time.
By 1837 his wife, both his sons and his eldest daughter were involved in the business. In 1855 Thomas was made a Chevalier
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
of the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
. In 1858 he retired from De La Rue
De La Rue
De La Rue plc is a British security printing, papermaking and cash handling systems company headquartered in Basingstoke, Hampshire. It also has a factory on the Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, and other facilities at Loughton, Essex and Bathford, Somerset...
handing over the management of the business to his sons William Frederick and Warren
Warren de la Rue
Warren De la Rue was a British astronomer and chemist, most famous for his pioneering work in astronomical photography.-Biography:...
.
Thomas de la Rue died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1866.
Memorials to his life
The Guernsey Post OfficeGuernsey Post
Guernsey Post is the postal service for the island of Guernsey, Channel Islands. It includes a Philatelic Bureau, and regularly issues both definitive and commemorative stamps...
has issued two sets of postage stamps commemorating his life and achievements, in 1971 and 1993.
There is a pub
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
in the Pollet, St Peter Port
St Peter Port
Saint Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey as well as the main port. The population in 2001 was 16,488. In Guernésiais and in French, historically the official language of Guernsey, the name of the town and its surrounding parish is St Pierre Port. The "port" distinguishes this parish from...
, Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
named Thomas de la Rue.
Further reading
- Houseman, Lorna, The House That Thomas Built: the Story of De La Rue, Chatto & Windus (1968) ISBN 070111343X
- Marr, L. James, Guernsey People, Phillimore (1984) ISBN 0850335299