|
William Alfred Westropp Foyle (1885–1963) was a bookseller and businessman who founded Foyles bookshop in 1903. William Foyle was one of the leading London booksellers of the 20th century. In 1903 he opened his first bookshop with his brother Gilbert and by the late 1920s the business had grown so rapidly that their bookstore in Charing Cross Road held a stock of four million volumes on over thirty miles of bookshelves, and the name of Foyle had become synonymous with bookselling in London.His vision for the business was a bookshop for the world - for every one from any station in life - "The People's Bookshop" . His inspiration was James Lackington's late 18th century "Temple of Muses" at Chiswell Street, London. The Foyle brothers were determined to create the greatest bookshop in the world. Foyles became increasingly popular with customers and members of the public throughout the world. In 1930, Foyle's nineteen-year-old daughter, Christina, brought together famous writers and distinguished figures, along with members of the public, to create the world's first public literary luncheon. During World War II, William Foyle purchased Beeleigh Abbey, a 12th-century monastery on the River Chelmer at Maldon, Essex. Although Foyle had collected books from an early age, it was at Beeleigh Abbey that he was able to store the books which he had collected making it one of the largest English private libraries of the 20th century. Foyle lived at Beeleigh Abbey until his death; after which, the library was sold. The library was sold at auction at Christies auction house in July 2000 . It was the single most valuable collection of books ever to be sold at auction in Britain or Europe. == External links == *( Foyles Bookshop ) 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「William Foyle」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|