Alexander Tom Cussons

Infobox Person
name = Alexander Tom Cussons
birth_date = 14 July 1875
birth_place = Leeds, England, UK
death_date = 20 August1951 (aged 76)
death_place = Ruthin Castle, Wales, UK
education = Ossett Grammar School, England
occupation = Businessman
spouse = Emily Jane Kidd
children = Marjorie Cussons (1902-1983)
Leslie Cussons (1907-1963)
Alex S. Cussons (1914-1986)
parents = Thomas Cussons (1838-1905)
Elizabeth Cussons (1843-1905)__NOTOC__Alexander Tom Cussons (14 July 1875 – 20 August 1951). Born in Holbeck, Leeds, England to Thomas Tomlinson Cussons (1838–1905) and his wife Elizabeth Cussons (née Ashton, 1843–1905). Alexander was the Chairman of Cussons Sons & Co, maker of the famous brand Cussons Imperial Leather and other toiletries.

Career

Alexander was apprenticed in the town of Ossett. [1891 Census for the United Kingdom] He then moved to Swinton, Salford with his parents. There Alexander worked in partnership with Ernest Jonathan Lake in the firm of Lake, Cussons, and Company. The firm operated as a wholesale druggist until the 25th of January 1894 when the partnership was dissolved. [May 4 1894, "The London Gazette"]

Alexander then continued in business with his father. In 1905 his father died and Alexander took complete control of the Cussons Company. Under Alexander the company grew rapidly. In 1917 Marks & Spencer penny bazaars began to stock Cussons products. In 1920 Alexander established a soap factory in Kersal Vale, Salford where production continues today. In 1921 he acquired Bayleys of Bond Street. In 1946 he made Cussons Sons & Co into a public company. [University of Salford, Campus Report Autumn 2002] He also made Cussons into a multinational company, with sales in many Commonwealth countries.

Alexander established his head office at 84 Brook Street, London in the exclusive district of Mayfair. Alexander is best known for manufacturing Imperial Leather soap. However he also manufactured a number of soaps which have since been discontinued. These included Apple Blossom, Linden Blossom, Lilac Blossom and Blue Hyacinth.

Interests

Alexander was a collector of rare orchids. He was a member of the Manchester Orchid Society, since renamed the North of England Orchid Society (NEOS). He was also a founding member of 'The Orchid Club' in 1924, which has since been disbanded. Through his company he donated a trophy to The Orchid Club. Today the trophy is used by the North of England Orchid Society. Alexander put his collection up for sale on the 24th of February 1948. At that time the collection amounted to over 6,000 plants. The collection was kept at Vine Street in Kersal, Salford. Alexander's interest in orchids resulted in Cussons Sons & Co issuing adverts featuring the flower. The adverts showed a picture of Imperial Leather soap surrounded by orchids, with the tagline 'both equally exquisite'. [Buxton, R., Yearsley, G. (1997). "A History of the North of England Orchid Society"]

Alexander was also a collector of tropical fish. They were kept within his orchid houses, where he found the warm conditions were ideal for them. His interest in tropical fish resulted in Cussons Sons & Co issuing a series of adverts; the adverts featured Imperial Leather soap surrounded by tropical fish. Later a book inspired by his collection was published. [Fraser-Brunner, A. (1950). "Cussons Book of Tropical Fishes"]

Alexander was also interested in rugby, and supported the Swinton Lions. ["Swinton and Pendlebury Journal", August 24 1951 “Soap manufacturer who won world recognition”]

Residences

Alexander owned a Victorian mansion in Kersal, Salford called 'Oaklands'. The property was within walking distance of his factory. However Oaklands was severely damaged in The Blitz of 1941, and Alexander later moved to Hale, Cheshire.

References