William Debenham
Encyclopedia
William Debenham was the founder of Debenhams
, one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom
.
in Suffolk
, William Debenham joined Thomas Clark in a partnership to manage a draper
's store at 44 Wigmore Street in London
.
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. When William Debenham Snr retired a new partnership was formed between his son, William Debenham Jnr, and Clement Freebody. This business became Debenhams
, one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom
. Meanwhile, Thomas Clark went on to form Cavendish House
which was later absorbed into House of Fraser
.
William Debenham Snr died in 1863 at Kensal Rise in London
.
Debenhams
Debenhams plc is a British retailer operating under a department store format in the UK, Ireland and Denmark, and franchise stores in other countries. The Company was founded in the eighteenth century as a single store in London and has now grown to around 160 shops...
, one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Career
Born in 1794 in AlphetonAlpheton
Alpheton is a village and civil parish in the Babergh district of Suffolk, England. Located on the A134 road about six miles north of Sudbury, in 2005 it had a population of 260. According to Eilert Ekwall the meaning of the village name is the homestead of Aelfled.-History:-Background:Alpheton is...
in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, William Debenham joined Thomas Clark in a partnership to manage a draper
Draper
Draper is the now largely obsolete term for a wholesaler, or especially retailer, of cloth, mainly for clothing, or one who works in a draper's shop. A draper may additionally operate as a cloth merchant or a haberdasher. The drapers were an important trade guild...
's store at 44 Wigmore Street 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...
.
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. When William Debenham Snr retired a new partnership was formed between his son, William Debenham Jnr, and Clement Freebody. This business became Debenhams
Debenhams
Debenhams plc is a British retailer operating under a department store format in the UK, Ireland and Denmark, and franchise stores in other countries. The Company was founded in the eighteenth century as a single store in London and has now grown to around 160 shops...
, one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Meanwhile, Thomas Clark went on to form Cavendish House
Cavendish House
Cavendish House is Cheltenham's oldest and leading department store , located on The Promenade. Its establishment was of great significance for Cheltenham's future reputation as a leading shopping centre. Known as 'Cavendish House' from its early days, its name was officially adopted with the...
which was later absorbed into House of Fraser
House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser. By 1891 it was known as Fraser & Sons. The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second...
.
William Debenham Snr died in 1863 at Kensal Rise 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...
.
Family
William married Caroline Freebody in 1820 and together they had six sons and four daughters.Further reading
- Fine Silks and Oak Counters 1778 - 1978 by Maurice Corina, Published 1978, Hutchinson Benham ISBN 978-0091349103