 Selfridges was opened in 1909 |
An American businessman who opened one of most famous shops in the world has been honoured by English Heritage. Selfridges founder Harry Gordon Selfridge had a plaque celebrating his achievements unveiled at the legendary department store on London's Oxford Street on Thursday.
The late tycoon is credited with setting new standards in retailing based on his belief that a great modern store should be as important to public life as great landmarks.
Selfridges is the first shop to be selected for an English Heritage Plaque, awarded by the trust to remember key figures in UK history.
The son of a small storekeeper in Wisconsin, Mr Selfridge joined the wholesale-retail firm of Field, Leiter and Company (later Marshall Field and Company) in Chicago at the age of 21.
He worked there for 25 years and became a junior partner before arriving in Britain in 1906, where he set about building a large department store. Selfridges opened its doors in March 1909.
An English Heritage spokesman said: "It is largely thanks to Selfridge that Oxford Street remains the commercial heart of the West End."
Of the store, he once said: "My aim is to make my shop a civic centre, where friends can meet and buying is only a secondary consideration."
In 1940, the directors of Selfridges voted to remove him as chairman, giving him the honorary title of president and a salary of �2,000.
When he died in 1947, aged 90, he had just �1,500 to his name.
He was buried in Hampshire beside his wife and his mother.
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It is largely thanks to Selfridge that Oxford Street remains the commercial heart of the West End 
