Rowney and Company 1783 - 1983

occupation:
Art materials manufacturer,
Supplier
Nationality:
British
born in:
Holborn, Camden, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Located in Holborn Hill, London. George Rowney is a UK supplier of art materials, now merged with the Daler Board Company, to form Daler-Rowney Limited, based in Bracknell, Berkshire. The business was established as T. & R. Rowney in 1783 by brothers Thomas and Richard Rowney as a perfume maker and wig supplier with a shop on Holborn Hill in London, and soon moved into supplying writing materials and then artists' materials. The brothers then went out of partnership with Richard conentring in the perfume and wig business, and Thomas the artists' supplies. In 1806 Thomas's son, Richard, started an apprenticeship in the business and on its completion set up in partnership with his brother-in law, Richard Forster, as Rowney & Forster. On Forster's retirement in about 1832 the businees became known as George Rowney & Co. In 1924 the business was incorporated as a limited company, George Rowney & Co Ltd. The company was merged with the Daler Board Company in 1983 to form Daler-Rowney Ltd.