Person | Male

William Fortnum

Categories: Commerce

Image source: Fortnum & Mason archivist

The records of the founders of Fortnum and Mason are not too clear. In 1707 a William Fortnum is said to have become a footman to Queen Anne and at about the same time to have founded a grocery business in Duke Street jointly with his landlord, Hugh Mason. The first documented reference to the business is in 1756 when it moved premises to Piccadilly.

London Walks describes the growth of the business through the involvement of William's grandson Charles (1738-1815) who was footman to Queen Charlotte.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
William Fortnum

Commemorated ati

Fortnum & Mason

From the shop's website: "1964 saw a new landmark added to the front of the ...

See other memorials in this area

Other Subjects

scientific life assurance

Equitable Life, the world's oldest mutual insurer, started business in 1762 in the parsonage of St Nicholas Acons in Nicholas Lane. It pioneered scientific life assurance by basing premiums on age ...

Concept, Commerce, Science

1 memorial

George Baxter

Artist and craftsman. Born Lewes. 1825 moved to London and married his cousin Mary Harrild. He invented a commercially viable colour printing process, producing prints of religious and topical subj...

Person, Art, Commerce, Craft / Design, Tragedy

3 memorials

Anglo-Texan Society

Founded in London by author Graham Greene, its founding president. The Handbook of Texas gives a good history of the Society. Our thanks to Lori Grossman for providing information.

Group, Commerce, Community / Clubs, USA

1 memorial

London Cemetery Company

The Company was founded by architect and civil engineer Stephen Geary. who designed and planned Highgate Cemetery. It was later taken over by the United Cemetery Company.

Group, Commerce

1 memorial

Jonathan Tyers

Born on Bermondsey Street. Initially worked in his family's wool, skin and fur business. In 1729 he acquired the lease for what would become Vauxhall Gardens and transformed it into a successful, f...

Person, Commerce

1 memorial

Previously viewed

C. E. Hudson

Resident of Golders Green killed serving in WW1.

Person

War dead, WW1

1 memorial

Gilbert and George

Artists. George Passmore was born 8 January 1942 in Plymouth. Gilbert Proesch was born 17 September 1943 in Italy. They first met on 25 September 1967 while studying sculpture at Saint Martin's ...

Group, Art

1 memorial