William Debenham

In today's world, William Debenham has become a topic of great relevance and interest to an increasingly broad audience. Whether due to its impact on society, its historical relevance or its importance in the current context, William Debenham continues to be a topic of debate and analysis in different areas. From the academic sphere to the popular sphere, William Debenham continues to generate interest and provoke reflections on its implications and consequences for the contemporary world. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to William Debenham, analyzing its implications, its evolution over time and its relevance in the current context.

For other people named William Debenham, see William Debenham (disambiguation).

William Debenham
Born(1794-04-18)18 April 1794
Alpheton, Suffolk, England
Died24 September 1863(1863-09-24) (aged 69)
Kensal Rise, London, England
NationalityBritish
CitizenshipBritish
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • Retailer
Years active1813–1863
EmployerDebenhams Ltd
OrganizationDebenhams
Known forFounder of Debenhams plc
TitleChair of Debenhams
Term1813–1863
SuccessorWilliam Debenham Jnr
Spouse
Caroline Freebody
​
(m. 1820)​
Children
  • six sons
  • four daughters
RelativesErnest Debenham
Sir Piers Debenham
Alison Debenham
Websitedebenhams.com

William Debenham (/ˈdɛbənəm/; 18 April 1794 – 24 September 1863) was the founder of Debenhams, once 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

  1. ^ a b c William Debenham at Ancestry.co.uk
  2. ^ a b c d Distinguished members of the Debenhams Family

Further reading

  • Fine Silks and Oak Counters 1778 – 1978 by Maurice Corina, Published 1978, Hutchinson Benham ISBN 978-0-09-134910-3
Business positions
Preceded by President of Debenhams
1813–1863 		Succeeded by
chairman of Debenhams
1813–1863


Stub icon

This article about a British businessperson born in the 1790s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.