William Whiteley, the founder of this Trust, was born at Agbrigg, Yorks on the 29th September 1831. Educated at Pontefract and apprenticed at the age of 16 to a drapery firm in Wakefield, he went to London to see the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the busy life of the metropolis attracted him. He spent 10 years of thrift and constant study with a city firm and then started a small business of his own at 63 Westbourne Grove. Before very long he had won for himself the name of the universal provider and for his business a worldwide reputation. He was the pioneer of the great London retail stores of the 19th and 20th centuries. He died in London the 24th of January 1907.
Site: Whiteley Village (5 memorials)
KT12, Whiteley Village
The text says the statue and the relief are of copper, not the more usual bronze. The front of the plinth below the seated lady supports (top to bottom): the relief; the plaque; the foundation stone. The biographical plaque is on the back.
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