Person    | Male 

William Fortnum

Categories: Commerce

William Fortnum

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 ...

Read More

Other Subjects

J. P. Knight Group Ltd

J. P. Knight Group Ltd

Founded by the son of J. P. Knight.

Group, Commerce

1 memorial
donkeys of Covent Garden

donkeys of Covent Garden

100,000 costermongers' donkeys worked in and around the market.  The picture source says: "In the 1860s there were as many as 2,000 donkey barrows on a Saturday morning in Covent Garden Market."

Animal, Commerce, Animals

1 memorial
Julian Metcalfe

Julian Metcalfe

Co-founder of Pret a Manger with Sinclair Beecham, who he met at the Polytechnic of Central London.  Also founded the itsu chain of Asian-inspired restaurants.

Person, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial
Neckinger Mills, Bermondsey

Neckinger Mills, Bermondsey

The Mills used to cover a large part of this area. Buildings remain at 162-164 Abbey Street. From Ideal Homes: "Bermondsey was known as a major industrial centre with particular specialisation in l...

Building, Commerce

1 memorial

Previously viewed

84 Charing Cross Road

84 Charing Cross Road

Book written by Helene Hanff in 1970 concerning the 20-year correspondence between her and Frank Doel, chief buyer at Marks & Co.. Based in New York City she first made contact in 1949 when sea...

Media, Literature, USA

1 memorial
Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots

Mary’s first 20 years were an amazing roller-coaster of a life. She spent the last 20 years imprisoned and was then beheaded. Born in Linlithgow Palace (north east of Edinburgh), only surviving ch...

Person, Royalty, Seriously Famous, Scotland

6 memorials
Ewan MacColl

Ewan MacColl

Folk singer, songwriter, dramatist, Marxist. Born James Miller in Salford, Lancashire. Three wives: theatre director Joan Littlewood, movement teacher Jean Newlove (with whom he had Kirsty MacColl)...

Person, Literature, Music / songs, Politics & Administration, Theatre

1 memorial
Randolph Caldecott

Randolph Caldecott

Artist and book illustrator.

Person, Art

1 memorial
Maggie Hambling

Maggie Hambling

Artist and sculptor.  Born Suffolk.

Person, Art, Sculpture

2 memorials