Jump to content

Michael Marks: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Antariosso (talk | contribs)
128 edits
m Removed links to sources used on the same point later in the article.
Tag: Reverted
Lead
 
(71 intermediate revisions by 39 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Belarusian-Polish-British businessman and co-founder of Marks & Spencer}}
{{short description|Businessman and co-founder of Marks & Spencer}}
{{other people}}
{{other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
Line 7: Line 7:
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_date = June 1859
| birth_name = Michał Marks
| birth_place = [[Słonim]], [[Russian Empire]]
| birth_date = Disputed year of birth
| birth_place = [[Slonim]], [[Grodno Governorate]], [[Russian Empire]] (now [[Belarus]])
| death_date = 31 December 1907
| death_place = [[Manchester]], England
| death_date = 31 December 1907
| death_place = [[Salford]], England
| other_names =
| other_names =
| nationality = [[Polish people|Polish]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Camillus |first=John C. |date=2016 |title=Wicked Strategies; How Companies Conquer Complexity and Confound Competitors |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sf7QDAAAQBAJ&dq=michael+marks+polish&pg=PA129 |language=English |publisher=University of Toronto Press |page=129 |isbn=9781442650558 |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>
| nationality = [[Russians|Russian]]
| citizenship = [[Great Britain|British]]
| citizenship = [[Russian Empire]], [[Great Britain]]
| occupation = Businessman
| occupation = Businessman
| years_active =
| years_active =
Line 20: Line 21:
| spouse = {{marriage|Hannah Cohen|1886}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Hannah Cohen|1886}}
}}
}}

'''Michael Marks''' ([[Belarusian language|Belarusian]]: '''Міхаіл Маркс''', [[Polish language|Polish]]: '''Michał Marks'''; June 1859 – 31 December 1907) was a [[Belarusians|Belarusian]]-[[Poles|Polish]]-British businessman and entrepreneur, who with [[Thomas Spencer (Marks and Spencer)|Thomas Spencer]] co-founded the British retail chain [[Marks & Spencer]].
'''Michael Marks''' ({{langx|yi|מיכאל מאַרקס}}; {{langx|pl|Michał Marks}}; 1859? – 31 December 1907) was a Polish-Jewish entrepreneur and later a British businessman, who with [[Thomas Spencer (Marks and Spencer)|Thomas Spencer]] co-founded the retail chain [[Marks & Spencer]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Marks was born into a [[History of the Jews in Belarus|Belarusian]]-[[History of Jews in Poland|Polish]] Jewish family in [[Słonim]], then in the [[Russian Partition]] of [[Poland]], which after 1945 became part of [[Belarus]].<ref name=ms>{{Cite web|url=http://marksintime.marksandspencer.com/People/|title=Michael Marks|publisher=Marks & Spencer people|accessdate=14 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/facilitiesandresources/diversity/events/documents/multiculturalism_poster_m_s.pdf |title=Marks and Spencer – a Great British institution. |publisher=[[Bournemouth University]] |accessdate=4 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509144611/http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/facilitiesandresources/diversity/events/documents/multiculturalism_poster_m_s.pdf |archivedate=May 9, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{harvtxt|Paul Burns|2008|pp=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://marksintime.marksandspencer.com/download?id=5303 |title=M&S: People |publisher=[[Marks & Spencer]]}}</ref> He emigrated to England around 1882 and moved to [[Leeds]], where a company called Barran was known to employ Jewish immigrants. He married Hannah Cohen at the Great Synagogue on Belgrave Street, Leeds, in 1886.<ref name=ms/> His date of birth is unknown; his naturalisation papers say 1859, but his age on his marriage certificate suggests 1863 or 1864.<ref>Chislett p.&nbsp;8.</ref>
Marks was born into a [[Polish Jews|Polish Ashkenazi Jewish]] family in [[Słonim]], in what was then the multinational [[Russian Empire]] (now [[Grodno Region]], [[Belarus]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Szydlowska |first=Katarzyna |date=2020 |title=The Future Business Strategy of Marks and Spencer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RqPMDwAAQBAJ&dq=michael+marks+polish&pg=PA4 |language=English |publisher=GRIN Verlag |page=4 |isbn=9783346104281}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Abramson |first=Glenda |date=2000 |title=Modern Jewish Mythologies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GAZ-DwAAQBAJ&dq=michael+marks+polish&pg=PA22 |location= |publisher=Hebrew Union College Press |page=22 |isbn=9780878204748 |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bryce |first1=Alan |last2=Wilson |first2=Jamieson |date=2002 |title=Business Management for Standard Grade |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jHu8A7lp20UC&dq=michael+marks+polish&pg=PA44 |language=English |publisher=Heinemann Educational |page=44 |isbn=9780435455484 |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> He immigrated to Britain around 1882 and moved to [[Leeds]], where a company called Barran was known to employ Jewish immigrants. He married Hannah Cohen at the Great Synagogue on Belgrave Street, Leeds, in 1886. There appears to be some confusion regarding this event. According to his naturalisation papers his marriage took place in 1859, but this does not tally against the age given on his marriage certificate, which suggests the wedding took place later, perhaps 1863 or 1864.<ref>Chislett, p. 8.</ref>


Marks met Isaac Dewhirst, the owner of a Leeds warehouse, in 1884. A deal was arranged, whereby Marks agreed to buy goods from Dewhirst and sell them in nearby villages. The venture was a success and enabled Marks to raise enough capital to establish a stall in Leeds' open market. At his stall, he used the slogan "Don't Ask the Price – it's a Penny".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Michael-Marks/6000000010678757980|title=Michael Marks|website=geni_family_tree|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> He also sold goods at [[Castleford]] and [[Wakefield]] markets.
Marks met Isaac Dewhirst, the owner of a Leeds warehouse, in 1884. A deal was arranged, whereby Marks agreed to buy goods from Dewhirst and sell them in nearby villages. The venture was a success and enabled Marks to raise enough capital to establish a stall in Leeds' open market. At his stall, he used the slogan "Don't Ask the Price – it's a Penny". He also sold goods at [[Castleford]] and [[Wakefield]] markets.


Marks also made the decision to rent an area at the new covered market in Leeds, which traded six days of the week. Over the next few years, Marks expanded his business and opened similar stalls in covered market halls all over [[Yorkshire]] and [[Lancashire]].
Marks also made the decision to rent an area at the new covered market in Leeds, which traded six days of the week. Over the next few years, Marks expanded his business and opened similar stalls in covered market halls all over [[Yorkshire]] and [[Lancashire]].


===Marks & Spencer===
===Marks & Spencer===
In 1894, Marks decided that if he was to expand the business further, he would need a business partner. He initially approached Bernard Sloman, the famous retired "whistler", who operated a stall in Leeds market selling soap, then Isaac Dewhirst, who also decided against the offer but suggested that his cashier [[Thomas Spencer (Marks and Spencer)|Thomas Spencer]] might be interested. Spencer decided that the £300 ({{Inflation|UK|300|1894|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}{{Inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}) required for a half-share in the business would be a good investment.
In 1894 Marks decided that if he was to expand the business further, he would need a business partner. He initially approached Isaac Dewhirst, who decided against the offer but suggested that his cashier [[Thomas Spencer (businessman)|Thomas Spencer]] might be interested. Spencer decided that the £300 ({{Inflation|UK-GDP|300|1894|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}{{Inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}) required for a half-share in the business would be a good investment.


The running of the business was split between Spencer, who managed the office and warehouse, and Marks, who continued to run the market stalls. Spencer had developed some important contacts while working for Isaac Dewhirst, and these allowed him to get the best prices for goods by dealing directly with the manufacturers. Together, Spencer and Marks were able to open stores in [[Manchester]], [[Birmingham]], [[Liverpool]], [[Middlesbrough]], [[Sheffield]], [[Bristol]], [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]] and [[Cardiff]].
The running of the business was split between Spencer, who managed the office and warehouse, and Marks, who continued to run the market stalls. Spencer had developed some important contacts while working for Isaac Dewhirst, and these allowed him to get the best prices for goods by dealing directly with the manufacturers. Together, Spencer and Marks were able to open stores in [[Manchester]], [[Birmingham]] Liverpool [[Middlesbrough]], [[Sheffield]], [[Bristol]], [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]] and [[Cardiff]].


A new warehouse in Manchester was built in 1897. This store became the centre of a business empire that, by then, included thirty-six branches. New stores had been built in [[Bradford]], [[Leicester]], [[Northampton]], [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]], and [[Swansea]]. [[London]] had a total of seven branches.
A new warehouse in Manchester was built in 1897. This store became the centre of an enterprise that, by then, included thirty-six branches. New stores had been built in [[Bradford]], [[Leicester]], [[Northampton]], [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]], and [[Swansea]]. [[London]] had a total of seven branches. On 5 May 1897 Marks was naturalised as a British subject.


⚫
In 1903 Marks & Spencer became a [[limited company]]. Spencer's original £300 investment had grown to a value of £15,000 ({{Inflation|UK-GDP|15000|1903|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}) and he retired later that year. Michael Marks continued to develop the business until his death at Knolls House, 396 Bury New Road, [[City of Salford|Salford]], on 31 December 1907. He was buried in the Old Jewish cemetery (Hebrew Congregation), Crumpsall, in plot number 1917, on 2 January 1908.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
On 5 May 1897, Marks was naturalised as a British subject.


⚫
In 1928 long after the death of Marks, his son [[Simon Marks, 1st Baron Marks of Broughton|Simon Marks]], later the first [[Baron Marks of Broughton]], laid the foundations for a long tradition. He introduced the "[[St Michael (brand)|St Michael]]" brand name in honour of his father, which remained in use until 2000.
⚫
In 1903, Marks & Spencer became a [[limited company]]. Spencer's original £300 investment had grown to a value of £15,000 ({{Inflation|UK|15000|1903|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}) and he retired later that year. Michael Marks continued to develop the business until his death at the age of 48, at Knoll House, 396 Bury New Road, [[City of Salford|Salford]], on 31 December 1907. He was buried in the Old Jewish cemetery (Hebrew Congregation), Crumpsall, in plot number 1917, on 2 January 1908.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Marks - Find A Grave Memorial|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13561384|publisher=Find A Grave|accessdate=19 September 2013}}</ref>

⚫
In the 1930s, long after the death of Marks, his son [[Simon Marks, 1st Baron Marks of Broughton|Simon Marks]], later the first [[Baron Marks of Broughton]], laid the foundations for a long tradition. He introduced the "St Michael" brand name in honour of his father, which was in use until 2000.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 51: Line 51:
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Burns|first=Paul|title=Corporate Entrepreneurship: Building an Entrepreneurial Organization |year=2008|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=Basingstoke|isbn=978-0-230-54263-1|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book|last=Burns|first=Paul|title=Corporate Entrepreneurship: Building an Entrepreneurial Organization |year=2008|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=Basingstoke|isbn=978-0-230-54263-1}}
* {{cite book|title= Marks in time : 125 years of Marks & Spencer|author= Chislett, Helen|location= London|publisher= Weidenfeld & Nicolson|year= 2009|isbn= 978-0-297-85873-7}}
* {{cite book|title= Marks in time : 125 years of Marks & Spencer|author= Chislett, Helen|location= London|publisher= Weidenfeld & Nicolson|year= 2009|isbn= 978-0-297-85873-7}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}
Line 62: Line 62:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Marks, Michael}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marks, Michael}}
[[Category:1859 births]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:Date of birth unknown]]
[[Category:1907 deaths]]
[[Category:1907 deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:Polish Jews]]
[[Category:British people of Polish-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:British people of Polish-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Polish emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Polish emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British businesspeople in retailing]]
[[Category:British businesspeople in retailing]]
[[Category:Retail company founders]]
[[Category:Retail company founders]]
⚫
[[Category:Polish Jews]]
[[Category:Belarusian Jews]]
[[Category:Belarusian Jews]]
[[Category:British Jews]]
[[Category:British Jews]]
[[Category:Imperial Russian emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Emigrants from the Russian Empire to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:People from Slonim]]
[[Category:People from Slonim]]
[[Category:People from Grodno Governorate]]
[[Category:People from Grodno Governorate]]
[[Category:Marks-Sacher family]]
[[Category:Marks-Sacher family]]
[[Category:19th-century British businesspeople]]

Latest revision as of 21:49, 4 December 2024

For other people named Michael Marks, see Michael Marks (disambiguation).

Michael Marks
Born
Michał Marks

Disputed year of birth
Slonim, Grodno Governorate, Russian Empire (now Belarus)
Died31 December 1907
Salford, England
NationalityPolish[1]
CitizenshipRussian Empire, Great Britain
OccupationBusinessman
Known forCo-founder of Marks & Spencer
Spouse
Hannah Cohen
​
(m. 1886)​

Michael Marks (Yiddish: מיכאל מאַרקס; Polish: Michał Marks; 1859? – 31 December 1907) was a Polish-Jewish entrepreneur and later a British businessman, who with Thomas Spencer co-founded the retail chain Marks & Spencer.

Biography

[edit]

Marks was born into a Polish Ashkenazi Jewish family in Słonim, in what was then the multinational Russian Empire (now Grodno Region, Belarus).[2][3][4] He immigrated to Britain around 1882 and moved to Leeds, where a company called Barran was known to employ Jewish immigrants. He married Hannah Cohen at the Great Synagogue on Belgrave Street, Leeds, in 1886. There appears to be some confusion regarding this event. According to his naturalisation papers his marriage took place in 1859, but this does not tally against the age given on his marriage certificate, which suggests the wedding took place later, perhaps 1863 or 1864.[5]

Marks met Isaac Dewhirst, the owner of a Leeds warehouse, in 1884. A deal was arranged, whereby Marks agreed to buy goods from Dewhirst and sell them in nearby villages. The venture was a success and enabled Marks to raise enough capital to establish a stall in Leeds' open market. At his stall, he used the slogan "Don't Ask the Price – it's a Penny". He also sold goods at Castleford and Wakefield markets.

Marks also made the decision to rent an area at the new covered market in Leeds, which traded six days of the week. Over the next few years, Marks expanded his business and opened similar stalls in covered market halls all over Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Marks & Spencer

[edit]

In 1894 Marks decided that if he was to expand the business further, he would need a business partner. He initially approached Isaac Dewhirst, who decided against the offer but suggested that his cashier Thomas Spencer might be interested. Spencer decided that the £300 (equivalent to £40,766 in 2023[6]) required for a half-share in the business would be a good investment.

The running of the business was split between Spencer, who managed the office and warehouse, and Marks, who continued to run the market stalls. Spencer had developed some important contacts while working for Isaac Dewhirst, and these allowed him to get the best prices for goods by dealing directly with the manufacturers. Together, Spencer and Marks were able to open stores in Manchester, Birmingham Liverpool Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Bristol, Hull Sunderland and Cardiff.

A new warehouse in Manchester was built in 1897. This store became the centre of an enterprise that, by then, included thirty-six branches. New stores had been built in Bradford, Leicester, Northampton, Preston, and Swansea. London had a total of seven branches. On 5 May 1897 Marks was naturalised as a British subject.

In 1903 Marks & Spencer became a limited company. Spencer's original £300 investment had grown to a value of £15,000 (equivalent to £1,970,333 in 2023) and he retired later that year. Michael Marks continued to develop the business until his death at Knolls House, 396 Bury New Road, Salford, on 31 December 1907. He was buried in the Old Jewish cemetery (Hebrew Congregation), Crumpsall, in plot number 1917, on 2 January 1908.[citation needed]

In 1928 long after the death of Marks, his son Simon Marks, later the first Baron Marks of Broughton, laid the foundations for a long tradition. He introduced the "St Michael" brand name in honour of his father, which remained in use until 2000.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Camillus, John C. (2016). Wicked Strategies; How Companies Conquer Complexity and Confound Competitors. University of Toronto Press. p. 129. ISBN 9781442650558. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  2. ^ Szydlowska, Katarzyna (2020). The Future Business Strategy of Marks and Spencer. GRIN Verlag. p. 4. ISBN 9783346104281.
  3. ^ Abramson, Glenda (2000). Modern Jewish Mythologies. Hebrew Union College Press. p. 22. ISBN 9780878204748. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  4. ^ Bryce, Alan; Wilson, Jamieson (2002). Business Management for Standard Grade. Heinemann Educational. p. 44. ISBN 9780435455484. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  5. ^ Chislett, p. 8.
  6. ^ United Kingdom Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth "consistent series" supplied in Thomas, Ryland; Williamson, Samuel H. (2024). "What Was the U.K. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 15 July 2024.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Burns, Paul (2008). Corporate Entrepreneurship: Building an Entrepreneurial Organization. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-230-54263-1.
  • Chislett, Helen (2009). Marks in time : 125 years of Marks & Spencer. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN 978-0-297-85873-7.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Michael_Marks&oldid=1261211633"