Tower and Town, June 2015

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William Hancock: Cabinet Maker

William was the fourth brother and the only one who stayed with his apprenticed trade of cabinet making. He did not stay long in London but soon moved to Bury St Edmunds, where despite being bankrupt in 1820, he acquired a reputation for fine work. Pieces were bought by the Marquis of Bristol at Ickworth House (his famously high standards are why there are so many Bristol Hotels around continental Europe) and he made a presentation piece for George IV which is still to be seen in the royal collections. He did receive a gift of £200 from the palace in recognition of its quality.

Sadly, though, William could not make a living and he returned to London to join Thomas, who gave him a patent for 'caoutchouc' (ie rubber) bookbinding for ledgers and account books. This was similar to the 'perfect' binding today used on paperbacks, with glue but no stitching.

Sadly William continued to be a fine craftsman but dreadful businessman and by 1839 was again bankrupt. In 1848 he died at Gravesend while seeing his children off to Australia.

Alexander Kirk Wilson