Joseph Denison (banker)

Joseph Denison (c.1726–1806) was a banker and landowner.

Life

Denison had come from a simple background; his parents were of low ranking and little means in West Yorkshire.[1] Definitive information is not available as to exactly how his fortune was made but seemingly he travelled to London where he became associated with the Heywood family of bankers, later becoming a partner in the company.[2] Richard Vickerman Taylor described the immense wealth accumulated by Denison as being gained through "unabated industry and the most rigid frugality".[3] Five years after purchasing Denbies, the Seamere estate, near Scarborough, Yorkshire, was added to his portfolio after he acquired it from the Duke of Leeds.[2][4] Denison had a son, William Joseph, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Anna Maria, from his second wife.[2] By the time of the Regency era the family were the personification of prosperity and social status.[2]

Legacy

Denison died on 12 December 1806[2] and the estate and all other properties were inherited by his son.[5] He is buried at Bunhill Fields with his second wife; a Grade II listed monument is on their tomb.[6]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Taylor (1865), p. 229
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Wilson, R. G. (2004), "Denison, Joseph (c.1726–1806)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.) (Oxford University Press), retrieved 16 April 2015 (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  3. ↑ Taylor (1865), p. 228
  4. ↑ Thorne, R. G., "Denison, William Joseph (1770–1849)", History of Parliament, archived from the original on 21 April 2015, retrieved 17 April 2015
  5. ↑ Brayley (1841), p. 92
  6. ↑ "Monument to Joseph Denison, Ref:1396509", Historic England, archived from the original on 25 April 2015, retrieved 25 April 2015

Bibliography