The Woolworths Museum

 

The British Woolworth Pioneers

 

John B. Snow ("Surefire"), who joined the management team in 1910 and managed all of the early store openings as well as heading up the British buying team

John Ben SNOW

Joined in 1910 from the USA. "Surefire" headed Buying for 25 years. Famous for spectacular store openings and for driving everywhere in his Rolls-Royce.

Detailed Biography

W.L. Stephenson, the only Englishman among the founder directors of the British Woolworths.

William L STEPHENSON

The sole Briton on the team, Bill shaped the 5 & 10¢ into "Woolies". He took it to the top of the UK market. Director 1909-23, MD 1923-31, Chairman 1931-1947.

Detailed Biography

Frank Winfield Woolworth, the dimestore pioneer and brains behind the British Woolworth company

Frank Winfield WOOLWORTH

The sole architect of British Woolworth's. Paid himself £1 p.a. as Chairman. Chose the Directors and early locations. Loved both England and the English.

Detailed Biography

Jennie Woolworth (née Creighton), wife of the dimestore magnate, and the person who kept him sane.

Jennie WOOLWORTH

Canadian seamstress who married Frank in 1876, keeping him sane and grounded. She co-signed the papers which established the British store chain.

Family Biography

The Diamond W motif was originally hand-drawn by Frank Woolworth to pass the time on a long transatlantic crossing, and went on to serve the company as its main trade mark for ninety years, and a familiar emblem thereafter

Samuel R. Balfour was a founder director of the British company and its first Treasurer and Company Secretary. He served from 1909 until 1910.

Samuel R BALFOUR

Managed the 6th Ave Warehouse in NY for Fred Woolworth. Invited to be his Company Secretary but returned to the USA after 18 months. Sadly died in a fire.

That's all we know!


Byron De Witt Miller, founding Director of Woolworth UK and later Worldwide President of the parent company

Byron De Witt MILLER

Errand boy who rose to be Superintendent for Manhattan by 1908. Founder Director of FWW UK. In 1921 recalled to NY as FD and Head of Overseas Ops. He served as Woolworth's third President from 1931-37.

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Fred Moore Woolworth, the first supremo of the British company founded by his cousin

Fred Moore WOOLWORTH

Frank's cousin, who joined at the bottom, rising to manage the flagship 6th Avenue, NY store before taking on the MD role in the UK, Despite his reputation for caution, he lead the British company with great skill.

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Charles Heiman Hubbard, a founder director of the British company, who set exacting standards and trained the first generation of store managers personally

Charles Heiman HUBBARD

Port Jervis NY Manager hired to open the British Liverpool flagship. He trained all the early store managers. 'Charlie' managed the London Listing in 1931 becoming Deputy Chairman. Said he did his best work on the golf course!

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