The Ravenscrofts - Forensic wig makers and family of note
| 1726 | Thomas Ravenscroft founds his wig making business in Serle Street, Lincoln’s Inn. Throughout the 18th century the Ravenscrofts, working at the centre of legal and literary London, build up a thriving business. |
| 1750 | Thomas Ravenscroft’s son, also Thomas, inherits the firm. He begins to collect portraits of the legal celebrities of his time and starts a collection that grows over the years as subsequent Ravenscrofts take up the tradition. |
| 1822 | Humphrey Ravenscroft (1748 – 1851), grandson of the founder, finally perfects and patents a wig made of white horsehair that needs no powdering or curling. This is the famous forensic wig, whose pattern is still used today. Throughout his life he collects portraits of lawyers and bishops and exhibits them at his shop. Some of these are still displayed in the Bar Room at 93 Chancery Lane. New barristers and QCs are invited to sign a book when measured for their first wig. Humphrey’s passionate belief in education and helping others to further themselves was a huge inspiration to his son Francis, who, at the young age of 22 took over the business in 1851 when his father died. |
| 1835 | After a further ten years’ research, Humphrey Ravenscroft introduces the new and improved full bottomed forensic wig. |
| 1844 | Humphrey Ravenscroft's passion for philanthropy inspires him to open an academy for young ladies in Coburg Road, Camberwell. |
| 1848 | Francis Ravenscroft, although part owner of the company, joins the London Mechanics’ Institution as a student and due to his exceptional business flair, is elected onto the Committee of Management a year later. The Institution was part of Birkbeck College, pioneer of lifelong learning, and now a constituent college of the University of London. He is also elected a member of the Society of Arts. |
| 1849 | Aged 20, Francis Ravenscroft becomes Governor of Birkbeck College and holds this post for over 50 years. |
| 1851 | Astute financial know-how leads the Ravenscrofts to found Birkbeck Bank having purchased all of Birkbeck College Buildings. After Francis’ death the Bank continues, managed by Clarence Ravenscroft (who was also a non executive partner in the E&R firm) until 1911 when it is taken over by the Westminster Bank. |
| 1871 | Rosanna Ravenscroft, daughter of Burton Ravenscroft and granddaughter of Humphrey marries Joseph Webb Ede who dies soon after. Rosa Ede runs the robemakers for the next 60 years. |
| 1885 | Francis Ravenscroft personally guarantees the cost of developing new premises for Birkbeck College on Fetter Lane. The Breams Buildings would be home to the college for the next 66 years. |
| 1902 | Master wigmaker and benefactor, Francis Ravenscroft dies at his home in St
John's Wood aged 73.
Ravenscroft wig maker merges with Ede and Son and moves from Serle Street to 1 Star Yard, with premises backing on to the Chancery Lane shop. |
| 1922 | A volume is opened for the signatures of women barristers and includes many names of note such as Margaret Thatcher and Elizabeth Lane, subsequently The Hon Mrs Justice Lane. |
