Alexander Tom Cussons
| Alexander Tom Cussons | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 July 1875 Holbeck, Leeds, England, UK |
| Died | 20 August 1951 (aged 76) Ruthin Castle, Wales, UK |
| Education | Ossett Grammar School, England |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) | Emily Jane Kidd |
| Children | Marjorie Cussons (1902–1983) Leslie Cussons (1907–1963) (1914–1986) |
| Parent(s) |
Thomas Cussons (1838–1905) Elizabeth Cussons (1843–1905) |
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 brand Cussons Imperial Leather and other toiletries.
Tom Cussons was apprenticed in the town of Ossett. He then moved to Swinton, Salford with his parents. There Cussons worked in partnership with Ernest Jonathan Lake in the firm of Lake, Cussons, and Company. The firm operated as a wholesale druggist until 25 January 1894 when the partnership was dissolved. Tom then continued in business with his father. In 1905 his father died and Alexander Tom took complete control of the Cussons Company. The family purchased a farm in Kersall in Manchester which was above an old bleach works at the foot of the hill. In 1907 Tom Cussons bought this factory and began manufacturing soap, glass bottles and many other products. Imperial Leather was created and manufactured there. The factory closed and was demolished in 2007. Under Tom Cussons the company grew. In 1917 Marks & Spencer penny bazaars began to stock Cussons products. In 1920 Cussons purchased a fine old perfumers named Piesse and Lubin based in Bond Street in London. Tom's daughter Marjorie was sent to work in the firm and learn about the perfume business. The firm was eventually absorbed into the main business in Manchester and ceased to exist in the 1950s. In 1921 Cussons acquired Bayleys of Bond Street. In 1947 he made Cussons Sons & Co into a public company. He also made Cussons into a multinational company, with sales in many Commonwealth countries.
Cussons established the company head office at 84 Brook Street, London in the district of Mayfair. Tom Cussons 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, and beautiful rose perfumed soap that led to the naming of the famous Wendy Cussons Rose. The rose was bred by Gregory & Sons of Nottingham, and was intended to be named after Tom's daughter Marjorie, but instead she asked for it to be named after her brother's wife, Wendy as she bore the name Cussons. The rose was extremely successful over many years, winning awards, and is still available in 2009, over 50 years after its introduction. Another rose, Julie Cussons, a beautiful salmon coloured floribunda bred by Gareth Fryer of Knutsford, was named after Tom's great grand child, Julie, who died at the age of two in 1985.
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