Tod, William
From AngloScottish
| Dates | c.1746, 1756-99 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | London | ||
| Vocation | Linen manufacturer | ||
| Place of Birth | Buittle, Kirkcudbrightshire | ||
| Marriage | |||
| Issue | Three sons | ||
| Place of birth | Source | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
Began business career in 1730s in partnership with Ebenezer MacCulloch, as a retailer of linen. Set up a linen 'factory' at Leith shortly after, gaining patronage of Lord Milton. With patron's help, secured the running of the French fine-linen weavers at Picardy Place in Edinburgh (1743). Established The Edinburgh Linen Company in 1744. Tod travelled to London to obtain a royal charter, which was granted in 1746. Increasingly found business taking him to London so Tod settled permanently in 1756. Broke with MacCulloch in 1759 and established a linen factor under name Tod & Co. Through business acumen acquired vast wealth. Died at home in Percy Street, Soho in 1799.
