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, once one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom.
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]
William married Caroline Freebody in 1820 and together they had six sons and four daughters. [1]
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, once one of the largest retailers in the United Kingdom.
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]
William married Caroline Freebody in 1820 and together they had six sons and four daughters. [1]