Frank Bowden: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 14:11, 12 June 2009
Frank Bowden (1848–1921) was the founder of the Raleigh Cycle Co and the inventor of the Bowden Cable.
- 1848 Born on 30 January 1848 in Bristol, the son of William Bowden (d. 1866), a Bristol manufacturer, and his wife, Louise (d. 1879), daughter of Henry White of Bath
- 1879 He met and married Amelia Frances (d. 1937), daughter of Colonel Alexander Houston, one of the pioneers of California State
- When Bowden was 24 years old he made a fortune in the stock market. When he returned from Hong Kong he was seriously ill. His doctor gave him 6 months to live. On his doctor's advice, Bowden took up cycling. After recovering from the illness he bought the company where he originally purchased his bicycle.
- In December 1888 the Raleigh Cycle Company was founded.
- By 1896 it was the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world.
- 1921 He died of heart failure at his home, Bestwood Lodge, Bestwood Park, Arnold, Nottinghamshire, on 25 April 1921.
- His only son, Harold Bowden, succeeded to the baronetcy and assumed control of the company.