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{{Short description|British motor manufacturer}}
{{Distinguish|William Roots}}
{{about||his son|William Geoffrey Rootes|the British politician|William Roots}}

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
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'''William Edward Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes''' [[Order of the British Empire|GBE]] (17 August 1894&ndash;12 December 1964) was a [[Coventry]] motor manufacturer. He opened his first car sales agency in 1913, leading to the global [[Rootes Group]]. During the Second World War he supervised the volume manufacture of aircraft and engines, as well as the supply of military motor vehicles and [[armoured fighting vehicles]].<ref name=glasobit>[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cm5AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oKMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4943,2319660&d Lord Rootes: Last of Car Triumvirate] Obituary in ''[[The Glasgow Herald]]'', 14 December 1964</ref> He was knighted in 1942 for these services and for organising the reconstruction of bomb-damaged Coventry after its [[Coventry Blitz|saturation bombing]] by the [[Luftwaffe]] on 14–15 November 1940. In the 1950s, he became a leader of Britain's export drive,<ref name=glasobit/> and chaired a committee to found the [[University of Warwick]] with a vision of academic links with industry.<ref>[http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/about/history/ History of The University] at [[University of Warwick]] official website</ref>
{{Infobox person
⚫
| name = The Lord Rootes
| image = William rootes portrait.jpg
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption = Rootes in 1937
| birth_name = William Edward Rootes
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1894|8|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Goudhurst]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1964|12|12|1894|8|17|df=y}}
| death_place =
| nationality = British
| other_names =
| occupation = Businessman
| years_active =
| known_for = Founder of [[Rootes Group]]
| notable_works =
⚫
}}
⚫
'''William Edward Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes''' [[Order of the British Empire|GBE]] (17 August 1894 – 12 December 1964) was a British motor manufacturer. He opened his first car sales agency in 1913, leading to the global [[Rootes Group]]. During the Second World War he supervised the volume manufacture of aircraft and engines, as well as the supply of [[military vehicle|military]] motor vehicles and [[armoured fighting vehicle]]s.<ref name=glasobit>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cm5AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oKMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4943,2319660&d Lord Rootes: Last of Car Triumvirate] Obituary in ''[[The Glasgow Herald]]'', 14 December 1964</ref> He was knighted in 1942 for these services and for organising the reconstruction of bomb-damaged [[Coventry]] after its [[Coventry Blitz|saturation bombing]] by the [[Luftwaffe]] on 14–15 November 1940. In the 1950s, he became a leader of Britain's export drive,<ref name=glasobit/> and chaired a committee to found the [[University of Warwick]] with a vision of academic links with industry.<ref name="history">[http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/about/history/ History of The University] at [[University of Warwick]] official website</ref> The Rootes Social Building and halls of residence were built at the university c. 1966, named posthumously in his honour.<ref name="history"/><ref>[https://warwick.ac.uk/about/warwick50/blog/voicesoftheuniversity/february2015 “Voices of the Campus”: February 2015 - Campus Development]</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
William (Billy) Rootes was born in [[Goudhurst]], Kent. His father, William, owned a general engineering business in Goudhurst, which included [[bicycle]]s. William (Snr) attended a motor show organised by Sir [[David Lionel Goldsmid-Stern-Salomons|David Salomons]] in [[Tunbridge Wells]] in 1895. Billy and his brother Reginald (Reggie) shared their father's interest in things mechanical. In 1905, whilst their parents were out, Billy took Reggie out for a drive in their father's New Orleans motor car. Unfortunately, Billy crashed the car. Billy attended [[Cranbrook, Kent|Cranbrook]] School, and on leaving school in 1909 was apprenticed to the [[Singer (car)|Singer car company]]. William had moved the family business to [[Hawkhurst]] by this time, and expanded into the motor trade. Billy left Singer in 1913 to start his own car agency. He sold all of his first batch of cars within a few months of leaving Singer. The business was moved to [[Maidstone]] before the First World War, and the firm worked on the maintenance and repair of aero engines during the war.<ref name=Courier>Kent and Sussex Courier, 25 April 2008, p. 28</ref>
William (Billy) Rootes was born in [[Goudhurst]], Kent. His father, William, owned a general engineering business in Goudhurst, which included [[bicycle]]s. William (Snr) attended a motor show organised by Sir [[David Lionel Goldsmid-Stern-Salomons|David Salomons]] in [[Tunbridge Wells]] in 1895. Billy and his brother Reginald (Reggie) shared their father's interest in things mechanical. In 1905, whilst their parents were out, Billy took Reggie out for a drive in their father's New Orleans motor car. Billy crashed the car.


Billy attended [[Cranbrook School, Kent|Cranbrook School]], and on leaving school in 1909 was apprenticed to the [[Singer (car)|Singer car company]]. William had moved the family business to [[Hawkhurst]] by this time, and expanded into the motor trade. Billy left Singer in 1913 to start his own car agency. He sold all of his first batch of cars within a few months of leaving Singer. The business was moved to [[Maidstone]] before the First World War, and the firm worked on the maintenance and repair of aero engines during the war.<ref name=Courier>Kent and Sussex Courier, 25 April 2008, p. 28</ref>
{{for|the full story of Rootes motors|Rootes Group}}


==Public honours==
==Public honours==
William and Reginald were knighted in 1942 and 1946 respectively for their work in setting up shadow factories.<ref name=Courier/> William was created a [[baron]] in 1959, some five years before [[Hereditary peer|such honours]] ceased to be inheritable under the [[Peerage|UK honours system]]: his eldest son, would accordingly become the Second Baron Rootes on William's death.
William and Reginald were knighted in 1942 and 1946 respectively for their work in setting up [[shadow factories]].<ref name=Courier/> William was created a [[baron]] in 1959: his eldest son would accordingly become the second Baron Rootes on William's death.


==Personal==
==Personal==
Rootes married his first wife, Nora Press, in 1916. The marriage produced two sons, [[William Geoffrey Rootes]] (1917–92) who between 1967 and 1973 served as chairman of [[Rootes Group|the family business]] (at that time a subsidiary of [[Chrysler Corporation]] and renamed as Chrysler United Kingdom)<ref name=Autocar197306>{{cite journal |authorlink=Peter Garnier (Ed) |title=World wide News and Comment: Lord Rootes to retire |journal=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |volume=138 |issue=4021 |page=3 |date=21 June 1973}}</ref> and [[Brian Gordon Rootes]] (1919–71) who also held a succession of senior positions within the company between 1937 and 1967, interrupted by a period of military service during the Second World War.<ref name=Motor197101>{{cite journal |authorlink=Charles Bulmer (Ed) |title=Obituary: The Hon. Brian Rootes |journal=[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]] |volume=3576 |page=60 |date=16 January 1971}}</ref>
Rootes married his first wife, Nora Press, in 1916. The marriage produced two sons, [[William Geoffrey Rootes]] (1917–1992) who between 1967 and 1973 served as chairman of [[Rootes Group|the family business]] (at that time a subsidiary of [[Chrysler Corporation]] and renamed as Chrysler United Kingdom)<ref name=Autocar197306>{{cite journal |title=World wide News and Comment: Lord Rootes to retire |journal=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |volume=138 |issue=4021 |page=3 |date=21 June 1973}}</ref> and [[Brian Gordon Rootes]] (1919–1971) who also held a succession of senior positions within the company between 1937 and 1967, interrupted by a period of military service during the Second World War.<ref name=Motor197101>{{cite journal |title=Obituary: The Hon. Brian Rootes |journal=[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]] |volume=3576 |page=60 |date=16 January 1971}}</ref>

In 1958, Rootes bought [[Ramsbury Manor]], Wiltshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol12/pp12-46|title=Victoria County History: Wiltshire: Vol 12 pp12-46 - Parishes: Ramsbury|date=1983|editor-last=Crowley|editor-first=D.A.|website=British History Online|publisher=University of London|author-first1=A.P.|author-last1=Baggs|author-first2=Jane|author-last2=Freeman|author-first3=Janet H|author-last3=Stevenson|access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
William Rootes died in 1964. It had been intended that Rootes would be the first Chancellor of the University of Warwick, although he is commemorated there by the Rootes Social Building, Rootes student residences, Rootes Grocery Store and the [[Lord Rootes Memorial Fund]].
William Rootes died in 1964. It had been intended that Rootes would be the first Chancellor of the [[University of Warwick]]; he is commemorated there by the Rootes Social Building, Rootes student residences, Rootes Grocery Store and the Lord Rootes Memorial Fund.

==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|image = Coat of arms of Wiiliam Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes.svg
|escutcheon = Ermine within an orle Azure a bugle horn sable garnished Or stringed Gules.
|crest = On a wreath Argent and Vert a cubit arm bendwise in armour Or the hand Proper grasping a spear in bend also Proper flying therefrom a forked pennon barry Argent and Azure semée of plates and bezants.
|supporters = On either side a horse argent gorged with a chain pendant therefrom a wheel Or.
|motto = Prorsum in Futurum (Forward into The Future)<ref>{{cite book|title=Burke's Peerage |date=2003}}</ref>
|orders = Order of the British Empire, Knight Grand Cross (GBE)
|badge = A horse's head erased Argent gorged with a riband Gules pendant therefrom by a riband Azure a bugle horn Sable garnished Or.}}

== See also ==
* [[Rootes Group]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://tardis.dl.ac.uk/ARCC/index.shtml Rootes Archive Centre]
* [http://tardis.dl.ac.uk/ARCC/index.shtml Rootes Archive Centre]


{{S-start}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-reg|uk}}
{{s-reg|uk}}
{{s-new|creation}}
{{succession box | title=[[Baron Rootes]] | before=New Creation | after=[[William Geoffrey Rootes]] | years= }}
{{s-ttl| title=[[Baron Rootes]] | years=1959-1964 }}
{{s-aft | after=[[William Geoffrey Rootes]] }}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}
{{Rootes Group}}

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2012}}

{{Goudhurst}}
{{Goudhurst}}


{{Persondata
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| name = Rootes, William Rootes, 1st Baron
| alternative names =
| short description = British automobile pioneer
| date of birth = 1894
| place of birth =
| date of death = 1964
| place of death =
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}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rootes, William Rootes, 1st Baron}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rootes, William Rootes, 1st Baron}}
[[Category:1894 births]]
[[Category:1894 births]]
[[Category:1964 deaths]]
[[Category:1964 deaths]]
[[Category:Automotive pioneers]]
[[Category:Barons in the Peerage of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British founders of automobile manufacturers]]
[[Category:British founders of automobile manufacturers]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People from Goudhurst]]
[[Category:People from Goudhurst]]
[[Category:Rootes Group]]
[[Category:Rootes Group]]
[[Category:Hereditary barons created by Elizabeth II]]

Latest revision as of 13:59, 12 December 2024

For his son, see William Geoffrey Rootes. For the British politician, see William Roots.

The Lord Rootes
Rootes in 1937
Born
William Edward Rootes

(1894-08-17)17 August 1894
Goudhurst
Died12 December 1964(1964-12-12) (aged 70)
NationalityBritish
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFounder of Rootes Group

William Edward Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes GBE (17 August 1894 – 12 December 1964) was a British motor manufacturer. He opened his first car sales agency in 1913, leading to the global Rootes Group. During the Second World War he supervised the volume manufacture of aircraft and engines, as well as the supply of military motor vehicles and armoured fighting vehicles.[1] He was knighted in 1942 for these services and for organising the reconstruction of bomb-damaged Coventry after its saturation bombing by the Luftwaffe on 14–15 November 1940. In the 1950s, he became a leader of Britain's export drive,[1] and chaired a committee to found the University of Warwick with a vision of academic links with industry.[2] The Rootes Social Building and halls of residence were built at the university c. 1966, named posthumously in his honour.[2][3]

Early life

[edit]

William (Billy) Rootes was born in Goudhurst, Kent. His father, William, owned a general engineering business in Goudhurst, which included bicycles. William (Snr) attended a motor show organised by Sir David Salomons in Tunbridge Wells in 1895. Billy and his brother Reginald (Reggie) shared their father's interest in things mechanical. In 1905, whilst their parents were out, Billy took Reggie out for a drive in their father's New Orleans motor car. Billy crashed the car.

Billy attended Cranbrook School, and on leaving school in 1909 was apprenticed to the Singer car company. William had moved the family business to Hawkhurst by this time, and expanded into the motor trade. Billy left Singer in 1913 to start his own car agency. He sold all of his first batch of cars within a few months of leaving Singer. The business was moved to Maidstone before the First World War, and the firm worked on the maintenance and repair of aero engines during the war.[4]

Public honours

[edit]

William and Reginald were knighted in 1942 and 1946 respectively for their work in setting up shadow factories.[4] William was created a baron in 1959: his eldest son would accordingly become the second Baron Rootes on William's death.

Personal

[edit]

Rootes married his first wife, Nora Press, in 1916. The marriage produced two sons, William Geoffrey Rootes (1917–1992) who between 1967 and 1973 served as chairman of the family business (at that time a subsidiary of Chrysler Corporation and renamed as Chrysler United Kingdom)[5] and Brian Gordon Rootes (1919–1971) who also held a succession of senior positions within the company between 1937 and 1967, interrupted by a period of military service during the Second World War.[6]

In 1958, Rootes bought Ramsbury Manor, Wiltshire.[7]

Death

[edit]

William Rootes died in 1964. It had been intended that Rootes would be the first Chancellor of the University of Warwick; he is commemorated there by the Rootes Social Building, Rootes student residences, Rootes Grocery Store and the Lord Rootes Memorial Fund.

Arms

[edit]
Coat of arms of William Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes
Crest
On a wreath Argent and Vert a cubit arm bendwise in armour Or the hand Proper grasping a spear in bend also Proper flying therefrom a forked pennon barry Argent and Azure semée of plates and bezants.
Escutcheon
Ermine within an orle Azure a bugle horn sable garnished Or stringed Gules.
Supporters
On either side a horse argent gorged with a chain pendant therefrom a wheel Or.
Motto
Prorsum in Futurum (Forward into The Future)[8]
Orders
Order of the British Empire, Knight Grand Cross (GBE)
Badge
A horse's head erased Argent gorged with a riband Gules pendant therefrom by a riband Azure a bugle horn Sable garnished Or.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Lord Rootes: Last of Car Triumvirate Obituary in The Glasgow Herald, 14 December 1964
  2. ^ a b History of The University at University of Warwick official website
  3. ^ “Voices of the Campus”: February 2015 - Campus Development
  4. ^ a b Kent and Sussex Courier, 25 April 2008, p. 28
  5. ^ "World wide News and Comment: Lord Rootes to retire". Autocar. 138 (4021): 3. 21 June 1973.
  6. ^ "Obituary: The Hon. Brian Rootes". The Motor. 3576: 60. 16 January 1971.
  7. ^ Baggs, A.P.; Freeman, Jane; Stevenson, Janet H (1983). Crowley, D.A. (ed.). "Victoria County History: Wiltshire: Vol 12 pp12-46 - Parishes: Ramsbury". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  8. ^ Burke's Peerage. 2003.
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to William Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes.
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baron Rootes
1959-1964 		Succeeded by
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