Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

Registered UK Charity (No. 115342)

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 164,574 pages of information and 246,142 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

George Singer

From Graces Guide
1879. George Singer's 'Xtra Ordinary' Bicycle. From 'Bartleet's Bicycle Book' No. 11.
1896. Singer's Autocycle. Built by Linley and Biggs.

George Singer (1847-1909) was the founder of Singer. He patented the curved bicycle fork that remains in use to this day.

1847 January. Born at Kingston, Dorset, the son of a Farm Bailiff

On leaving school he worked for John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, London.

1869 Moved to Coventry

Was a foreman in the works of the Coventry Sewing Machine Co, in 1868 (sic), when Rowley B. Turner introduced the French Velocipede to the Company[1]

1873 Resigned as Foreman at Coventry Machinists Co and joined the Paragon Cycle Co

1873 January 15th. Married at Coventry to Eliza Anne Stringer

1875 Birth of daughter Louise Maude

1876 Birth of son George Ernest Singer

1877 Birth of daughter Minnie Florence

1878 The 'Xtra Ordinary' cycle was patented by George Singer on 24th October 1878. Weight 53 lbs. Made by Singer and Co Ltd., Coventry, at the suggestion of George Dominy, an amateur cyclist of Weymouth[2].

1881 Living at 8 Stoneleigh Terrace, Coventry: George Singer (age 34 born Dorchester), a Manufacturer of Tricycles and Bicycles employing 300 men and boys. With his wife Eliza A. Singer (age 37 born Kenilworth) and their children Louise M. Singer (age 6 born Coventry); George E. Singer (age 4 born Coventry); and Minnie F. Singer (age 3 born Coventry). Three servants [3]

1881 Birth of son Arthur Leonard Singer

1891-4 George Singer was Mayor of Coventry

1901 Living at Coundon Court, Coventry: George Singer (age 54 born Kingston, Dorset), a Retired Cycle Manufacturer. With his wife Eliza Annie Singer (age 56 born Kenilworth) and their son George Ernest Singer (age 24 born Coventry). Eight servants.[4]

1909 January 9th Died in Coventry.[5]

See Also

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Sources of Information

  1. Bartleet's Bicycle Book
  2. Bartleet's Bicycle Book
  3. 1881 Census
  4. 1901 census
  5. Bartleet's Bicycle Book