Harry Gordon Selfridge

Harry Gordon Selfridge, Sr. (11 January 1858 – 8 May 1947) was an American-British business owner. He founded the London-based department store Selfridges. He was one of the most respected and wealthy retail businessmen in the United Kingdom.

 Early life 

Selfridge was born in Ripon, Wisconsin.The Yankee Who Taught Britishers That 'the Customer Is Always Right', Milwaukee Journal, 7 September 1932, Selfridge was raised in Jackson, Michigan. Selfridge's parents were Robert Oliver Selfridge and his wife Lois. They had three sons.Lindy Woodhead, Shopping, Seduction & Mr. Selfridge (New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2012), p. 5 His father fought in the American Civil War. He was a major in the Union Army. After he was discharged, he did not come back to the family.

Both of Selfridge's brothers died young. His mother taught school. From the age of 10, Harry began working. He sold newspapers to help his mother. Later he stocked shelves at a dry goods store.

 Career 
When he was 21, Selfridge went to Chicago. He worked for Field, Leiter and Company. This later became Marshall Field's & Co. He worked there for 25 years.Harry Gordon Selfridge. (2014). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Web. Retrieved on May 20, 2014. Selfridge started the idea of a bargain basement in a department store. Selfridge's ideas added to the success of Marshall Field & Company. When he asked Marshall Field to let him become a partner, Field was surprised, but he agreed.Soucek, G. Marshall Field's: The Store that Helped Build Chicago.  The History Press,  2011.  Web. 20  May 2014. Field even lent him the money needed to become a partner.

After visiting England, Selfridge decided to open his own department store in London.Ask Geofrey. Dir. Erica Gunderson. Perf. Geoffrey Baer.  WTTW, 19  Mar. 2014. Mr. Selfridge, Firehouses, & Revolving Doors.  Web. 20  May 2014. In 1909, his store opened on Oxford Street. It brought about many changes in shopping. It is still a big store today.  Selfridges & Co. was named the Best Department Store in the World in 2010 and 2012."Our Heritage." Selfridges & Co. , n.d.  Web. 20 May 2014. and 2014.

 Personal life 
In 1890, Selfridge married Rose Buckingham. Her family was wealthy and influential. Rose was a property developer when she married. She died of the Spanish flu in 1918. Harry never married again, even though he had several girlfriends.

 Death 
Selfridge died of pneumonia in Putney, London, aged 89.

 Writings 
Selfridge wrote the book The Romance of Commerce. He used a ghostwriter to help him write it. The book was published in 1918.

 References 

 Other websites
Selfridges
Gordon Selfridge: The Gambler 
Biography from the DNB

Category:1858 births
Category:1947 deaths
Category:British businesspeople
Category:Businesspeople from Michigan
Category:Businesspeople from Wisconsin