Horatio Davies
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel
Sir Horatio David Davies KCMG (1842–1912) was a London businessman, politician, magistrate and a driving force behind the establishment of Pimms as an international brandname.
. Horatio had in fact been one of the last poor scholars of the original foundation of the College of God’s Gift in Dulwich, the official name of the College from its foundation (although Dulwich College was used colloquially in Horatio’s time there). Horatio maintained that, as a small boy, he had seen the bones of Edward Alleyn
, the founder of Dulwich College, when his tomb was moved.
in the 3rd Middlesex Artillery (V). His career was both of a political and business nature. He was said to have been in his enterprises loyal to his old friends but he disliked the intrusion of newcomers.
had invented the Pimms beverage as an aid to digesting the oysters his business was selling. After Pimm sold his business to Sir Horatio Davies, the brand was expanded as Horatio started the process of bottling the Number One Cup for other establishments to sell. He also expanded the chain to five Pimm's restaurants. Gradually, an export business was built up, so that by the time of Sir Horatio's death in 1912, Pimm's cocktail was known internationally, especially in the empire
.
of Bishopsgate
Ward in London
and he became the Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1887 and Lord Mayor of London
in 1897. His old school in the form of Dulwich College Rifle Volunteer Corps (a forerunner of the present day CCF
), took part in his procession in 1897.
He was also MP for Rochester from Huly to December 1892 and for Chatham from 1895 to 1906 as a member of the Conservative Party
. In 1898 he was also a Magistrate for Kent and one of Her Majesty's Lieutenants for London
. As a magistrate he was regarded as just, but severe to wrong-doers, while tender-hearted for cases of distress. He was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour.
and the Junior Carlton Club
.
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Sir Horatio David Davies KCMG (1842–1912) was a London businessman, politician, magistrate and a driving force behind the establishment of Pimms as an international brandname.
Early life
Son of H D Davies Esq, he was educated at Dulwich CollegeDulwich College
Dulwich College is an independent school for boys in Dulwich, southeast London, England. The college was founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a successful Elizabethan actor, with the original purpose of educating 12 poor scholars as the foundation of "God's Gift". It currently has about 1,600 boys,...
. Horatio had in fact been one of the last poor scholars of the original foundation of the College of God’s Gift in Dulwich, the official name of the College from its foundation (although Dulwich College was used colloquially in Horatio’s time there). Horatio maintained that, as a small boy, he had seen the bones of Edward Alleyn
Edward Alleyn
Edward Alleyn was an English actor who was a major figure of the Elizabethan theatre and founder of Dulwich College and Alleyn's School.-Early life:...
, the founder of Dulwich College, when his tomb was moved.
Career
Horatio went on to become a Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in the 3rd Middlesex Artillery (V). His career was both of a political and business nature. He was said to have been in his enterprises loyal to his old friends but he disliked the intrusion of newcomers.
Businessman
In the early 1870s Horatio Davies took interests with his wife’s brother, Frederick Gordon, in businessman’s restaurants. They started with the London Tavern and Pimm’s Oyster Bar. Crosby Hall and the Holborn Restaurant followed with much success. Following these ventures, Gordon went on to found the Gordon Hotels group. Horatio was also noted as owning the Ship and Turtle in Leadenhall Street. He later sold Crosby Hall - one of the City's most ancient buildings, which had previously been saved a number of times from destruction, and it was later pulled down for an office block (the remains were salvaged and re-erected in Chelsea).Pimms
James PimmJames Pimm
James Pimm was the son of tenant farmers who created the gin-based cocktail known as Pimm's.Pimm was born and raised in Newnham, Kent. In his early 20s he moved to London where he set up as a shellfish monger, the first step to embarking on a career in catering...
had invented the Pimms beverage as an aid to digesting the oysters his business was selling. After Pimm sold his business to Sir Horatio Davies, the brand was expanded as Horatio started the process of bottling the Number One Cup for other establishments to sell. He also expanded the chain to five Pimm's restaurants. Gradually, an export business was built up, so that by the time of Sir Horatio's death in 1912, Pimm's cocktail was known internationally, especially in the empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
Politics
Horatio was actively involved in law and politics. He was an AldermanAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of Bishopsgate
Bishopsgate
Bishopsgate is a road and ward in the northeast part of the City of London, extending north from Gracechurch Street to Norton Folgate. It is named after one of the original seven gates in London Wall...
Ward in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and he became the Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1887 and Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
in 1897. His old school in the form of Dulwich College Rifle Volunteer Corps (a forerunner of the present day CCF
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
), took part in his procession in 1897.
He was also MP for Rochester from Huly to December 1892 and for Chatham from 1895 to 1906 as a member of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
. In 1898 he was also a Magistrate for Kent and one of Her Majesty's Lieutenants for London
Lord Lieutenant of Greater London
The Lord Lieutenant of Greater London is Her Majesty's representative in Greater London, including the 32 London boroughs.This is a complete list of Lord Lieutenants of Greater London in the United Kingdom....
. As a magistrate he was regarded as just, but severe to wrong-doers, while tender-hearted for cases of distress. He was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour.
Personal life
In 1867 he married Lizzie the daughter of Charles John Gordon. After her death in 1907 he married Pauline Marie Boniface in 1909. He was a member of both the Carlton ClubCarlton Club
The Carlton Club is a gentlemen's club in London which describes itself as the "oldest, most elite, and most important of all Conservative clubs." Membership of the club is by nomination and election only.-History:...
and the Junior Carlton Club
Junior Carlton Club
The Junior Carlton Club was a London gentlemen's club, now dissolved, which was established in 1866 and was disbanded in 1977.-History:Anticipating the forthcoming Second Reform Act under Benjamin Disraeli, numerous prospective electors decided to form a club closely aligned to the Conservative...
.