1. William Duesbury was an English enameller, in the sense of a painter of porcelain, who became an important porcelain entrepreneur, founder of the Royal Crown Derby and owner of porcelain factories at Bow, Chelsea, Derby and Longton Hall.
10 Facts About William Duesbury
1. 2.
In 1770 William Duesbury was able to purchase the failing Chelsea porcelain factory and for the next few years he probably used it to decorate porcelain produced in Derby destined for the London market.
3.
William Duesbury continued the tradition at Chelsea of holding an annual auction.
4.
The William Duesbury "D" was now capped with a crown to record that they were "Derby China Manufacturers to His Majesty".
5.
Also in 1775 William Duesbury acquired the manufactory of Bow and in 1777 those of Giles's manufactory, Kentish Town, and others.
6.
In 1779 William Duesbury faced a severe financial crisis because his business partner Heath went bankrupt.
7.
William Duesbury was now the sole proprietor of "the leading porcelain manufacturer in England".
8.
In 1783 his business was helped when George, Prince of Wales chose to use William Duesbury's wares furnish Carlton House.
9.
The next year, 1784, William Duesbury centralised all his manufacturing processes in Derby.
10.
William Duesbury's business passed to his eldest son and partner William Duesbury.