(1789-1848), Cabinetmaker

William Hancock was born the fourth son of James Hancock, a cabinetmaker from Marlborough. Few firm details are known about his life. He established a cabinet-making and upholestery business in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk from 1815. His cabinet-making work is known to include an elm cabinet of 'superior beauty' that was presented to King George IV in 1825 and which remains in one of the private state apartments in Buckingham Palace. He was however declared bankrupt on 2 June 1821. He allegedly made the first set of inflatable rubber cushions for the Houses of Parliament between 1834 and 1840. He also developed the Hancock company’s production of perfect binding for books which was patented in 1836.

William Hancock died on the 20 June 1848 in Milton, Gravesend.