Lewis Lavenu

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Lewis Henry Lavenu (?-August 17, 1818) was a musician, music seller and publisher.

Beginning as a violinist in the Covent Garden opera, Lavenu set up his "New Musical Warehouse" at 23, Duke Street, St. James, Piccadilly in 1795. Around 1802 he went into partnership with the printer Charles Mitchell forming Lavenu & Mitchell and in 1805 moved their business to New Bond Street. The partnership with Mitchell ended in 1806, and Lavenu built up a successful business attaining a Royal Warrant as music seller to the Prince Regent (later George IV) by his death on August 17, 1818. The business was further built upon by his widow Eliza who went into partnership with the Anglo-Italian violinist Nicholas Mori. The business was moved to 24, Edward Street, Manchester Square in 1820, the Bond Street premises then being occupied by William Mitchell, an associate of Charles Mitchell. The business returned to the New Bond Street premises in 1826 after Mori and Lavenu's marriage on January 24, 1826 at St. Paul's, Covent Garden as "Mori & Lavenu" and continued until it was sold in the 1840s by Eliza's son Lewis Henry Lavenu. Lavenu had married Elizabeth Mackenzie on March 3, 1793 at Greenwich- she died on January 16, 1814 and Lavenu had married his second wife Eliza by his death in 1818.