Background
Thomas Cubitt was born on February 25, 1788 in Buxton, Norfolk, United Kingdom; the son of a Norfolk carpenter removed to London.
Thomas Cubitt was born on February 25, 1788 in Buxton, Norfolk, United Kingdom; the son of a Norfolk carpenter removed to London.
In his nineteenth year, when Thomas Cubitt was working as a journeyman carpenter, his father died, and he tried to better his position by going on a voyage to India, as captain's joiner. He was one of the first to combine several trades in a "builder's" business; and this very much increased his success.
At a late period he received professionally the recognition of royalty, the palace at Osborne being erected after his designs, and under his superintendence; and in the Life of the Prince Consort he is described by Queen Victoria as one " than whom a better and kinder man did not exist. "
Cubitt's business acumen and benevolent autocracy led to great wealth, but he was generous to his family and employees.
He was elected president of the Builders' Society some time before his death, which took place at his seat Denbies, near Dorking, on the 20th of December 1855.
Thomas Cubitt was commissioned in 1824 by Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster, to create a great swathe of building in Belgravia centred on Belgrave Square and Pimlico, in what was to become his greatest achievement in London.
