1844 - William Bryant and Francis May went into business together as provision merchants in London. 1850 - began importing matches from Carl Lundström of Sweden. 1861 - started manufacturing matches in Britain, with the name: Bryant and May. Their original aim was to manaufacture only safety matches. 1875 - May was induced to leave the company by Bryant's sons. 1927 - combined with the Swedish Match Company to become the British Match Corporation. 2010 - the name finally dissolved as a non trading company.

factory at Bow; Trade mark owned by Swedish Match, only name Bryant and May continues