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{{Short description|British entrepreneur (1930–2007)}}
'''Marcus Lecky Oswald Hornby Birley''' (30 May 1930 – 24 August 2007), known as '''Mark Birley''', was an [[United Kingdom|British]] entrepreneur known for his investments in the [[hospitality]] industry. He was educated at [[Eton College|Eton]] where he excelled at drawing, after doing his National Service he went up to [[University College, Oxford]] to read [[PPE]] but left after a year.
{{EngvarB|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Mark Birley
| honorific_suffix =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Marcus Oswald Hornby Lecky Birley
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1930|05|29}}
| birth_place = Marylebone, London, England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2007|08|24|1930|05|29}}
| death_place = London, England
| resting_place =
| nationality = British
| education = [[Eton College]]
| alma_mater = [[University College, Oxford]]
| known_for = Entrepreneur
| notable_works =
| style =
| movement =
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart]]|1954|1975|end=div}}
| children = Rupert Birley<br>[[Robin Birley (businessman)|Robin Birley]]<br>[[India Jane Birley]]
| relations = [[Maxime de la Falaise]] <small>(sister)</small><br>[[Hugh Hornby Birley]] <small>(2x great-grandfather)</small>
| awards =
| parents = [[Oswald Birley|Sir Oswald Birley]]<br>[[Rhoda Vava Mary Lecky Pike]]
}}
'''Marcus Oswald Hornby Lecky Birley''' (29 May 1930 – 24 August 2007), known as '''Mark Birley''', was a British entrepreneur known for his investments in the [[hospitality]] industry.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mark Birley|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1561396/Mark-Birley.html|accessdate=12 August 2016|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=27 August 2007}}</ref>

⚫
==Early life==
⚫
Mark Birley was the son of [[Oswald Birley|Sir Oswald Birley]] (1880–1952), the [[Royal family|royal]] and society portrait painter, and the artist and gardener [[Rhoda Vava Mary Lecky Pike]]. His sister, [[Maxime de la Falaise]] (1922–2009), became a noted fashion model of the 1950s; Maxime's daughter, [[Loulou de la Falaise]] (1948–2011), was a muse to the fashion designer [[Yves Saint-Laurent (designer)|Yves Saint Laurent]].

He was educated at [[Eton College|Eton]] where he excelled at drawing. After doing his National Service he went up to [[University College, Oxford]], to read [[Philosophy, Politics and Economics]] but he left after failing his first year exams.<ref name="GuardianObit"/> He then started working as a copywriter for [[J. Walter Thompson]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wild About Harry's |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2005/10/harrys-bar-london |website=www.vanityfair.com |date=12 October 2005}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
In 1962 Mark Birley founded [[Annabel's]] at Berkeley Square in the exclusive [[Mayfair]] district of [[London]]. The club was named for his wife, the former [[Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart]], and it was the first of its kind: a member-only nightclub that catered to an exclusive clientele, including [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles, Prince of Wales]].
In 1963, Birley founded [[Annabel's]] at Berkeley Square in the [[Mayfair]] district in central London. The club was named for his wife, the former [[Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart]], and it was the first of its kind: a member-only nightclub that catered to an exclusive clientele, including [[Charles, Prince of Wales|the Prince of Wales]].<ref name="GuardianObit"/>


In 1972 Birley opened Harry's Bar and continued to expand his portfolio in the restaurant, nightclub and hotel business. He became the owner of the Annabel's Group, which includes Mark Birley Holdings Limited. He launched a men's fragrance line, Mark Birley for Men, in 1996, in collaboration with the perfumers Frédéric Malle and Pierre Bourdon.
In 1972, Birley opened [[Mark's Club]] and continued to expand his portfolio in the restaurant, nightclub and hotel business. He became the owner of the Annabel's Group, which includes Mark Birley Holdings Limited.<ref name="IndependentObit"/> In 1979 Birley opened [[Harry's Bar (London)|Harry's Bar]] on South Audley Street in Mayfair. It became noted for its Italian cuisine.<ref name="Times07">{{cite news|title=Obituary: Mark Birley|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0503693316/TTDA?u=wes_ttda&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=ade61dd3|accessdate=23 April 2022|work=[[The Times]]|issue=69101|date=27 August 2007|page=43}}</ref> He launched a men's fragrance line, Mark Birley for Men, in 1996, in collaboration with the perfumers Frédéric Malle and Pierre Bourdon. Birley also designed the former family offices of [[Peter Palumbo, Baron Palumbo]], in the City of London into a member's club, [[Walbrook Club|The Walbrook Club]], which opened in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Amanda|title=City Profile: The king of clubs|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/comment/4454094/City-Profile-The-king-of-clubs.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=16 July 2012|date=10 June 2000}}</ref>


In 1989 Birley established the [[Bath & Racquets Club]] on Brook's Mews.<ref name="Times89">{{cite news|title=When playing the game means following the dress code|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0503235120/TTDA?u=wes_ttda&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=bf6df542|accessdate=19 January 2022|work=[[The Times]]|issue=63383|date=2 May 1989|page=21}}</ref>
⚫
== Private life ==
⚫
Mark Birley was the son of [[Oswald Birley|Sir Oswald Birley]], the portrait painter, and his wife, the former Rhoda Pike. His sister, [[Maxime de la Falaise]], became a noted fashion model of the 1950s and her daughter is Lou Lou de la Falaise who was a muse to the fashion designer [[Yves Saint-Laurent (designer)|Yves Saint Laurent]].


== Personal life ==
On 10 March 1954 he married [[Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart]], daughter of the [[Robin Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 8th Marquess of Londonderry|8th Marquess of Londonderry]]. They had three children Rupert, [[Robin Birley (businessman)|Robin]] and [[India Jane Birley|India Jane]].
On 10 March 1954, he married [[Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart]] (born 1934), daughter of the [[Robin Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 8th Marquess of Londonderry|8th Marquess of Londonderry]] (1902–1955).<ref name="GuardianObit"/> Annabel Birley became the mistress of Birley's former friend [[Sir James Goldsmith]] (1933–1997), and gave birth to two of Goldsmith's children while she was still married to, but separated from, Birley. The Birleys divorced in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/27/db2701.xml&page=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223153142/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2007%2F08%2F27%2Fdb2701.xml&page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2007 |title=Mark Birley |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 August 2007 |accessdate=26 January 2012 }}</ref> Mark and Annabel had three children:
*Rupert Birley (1955–1986; presumed dead),<ref name="IndependentObit"/> who disappeared whilst working in [[Togo]], West Africa in 1986.<ref name="RupertDead">{{cite web|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4153/is_20041004/ai_n12100840/pg_2|title=FindArticles.com – CBSi|accessdate=8 March 2016}}</ref>
*[[Robin Birley (businessman)|Robin Birley]] (born 1958){{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
*[[India Jane Birley]] (born 1961), who married Jonty Colchester (div. 1985). She later married Francis Pike.


As a child Birley's son [[Robin Birley (businessman)|Robin]] was mauled and badly scarred for life by a tiger at the private zoo of family friend [[John Aspinall (zoo owner)|John Aspinall]] (1926–2000).{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} In 1986, Birley's other son, Rupert, disappeared in [[Togo]] and was never found. He is assumed to be deceased.<ref name="RupertDead"/>
Annabel Birley became the mistress of Birley's former friend [[Sir James Goldsmith]], and gave birth to two of Goldsmith's children while she was still married to, but separated from, Birley. The Birleys divorced in 1975.[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/27/db2701.xml&page=1]


In his last years, Birley himself was disabled and needed to use a [[wheelchair]]. For a time, he turned over the reins of his businesses to his two surviving children.<ref name="IndependentObit"/> In 2006, however, Birley dismissed his son Robin and returned to the helm of his empire, which until his death he ran with his daughter [[India Jane Birley|India Jane]].<ref name="GuardianObit"/>
In 1986 Birley's son Rupert disappeared in [[Togo]] and was never found. His other son [[Robin Birley (businessman)|Robin]] was mauled as a child by a tiger at the private zoo of family friend [[John Aspinall]], and badly scarred for life. In his last years, Birley was confined to a [[wheelchair]]. For a time, he turned over the reins of his businesses to his two children.


Birley lived at [[Thurloe Lodge]] in [[South Kensington]] for 30 years.<ref name='Times13'>{{cite news|last1=Bloomfield|first1=Ruth|title=Birley house set for demolition|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/ZKOFRX355455214/TTDA?u=wes_ttda&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=f3a2c5d4|accessdate=7 February 2022|work=[[The Times]]|issue=70863|date=19 April 2013|page=102}}</ref><ref name=Teleg13>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9948529/Mark-Birley-His-things-were-thrown-to-the-wolves.html|title=Mark Birley: 'His things were thrown to the wolves'|date=22 March 2013|work=[[Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=1 February 2022}}</ref> India Jane sold Thurloe Lodge in 2011 for £17 million.<ref name=Teleg13/> An auction of 500 of Birley's possessions from the house was held at [[Sotheby's]] in March 2013.<ref name=Teleg13/> The auction realised £3.85 million.<ref name=Teleg13/>
In 2006, however, Birley dismissed his son [[Robin Birley (businessman)|Robin]] on grounds of [[misconduct]] and returned to the helm of his empire which he ran with his daughter [[India Jane Birley|India Jane]].


== Death ==
== Death ==
He died on 24 August 2007, aged 77, following a stroke.<ref name="GuardianObit">{{cite news|last1=Vat|first1=Dan van der|title=Mark Birley|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/aug/29/guardianobituaries.obituaries1|accessdate=12 August 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=29 August 2007}}</ref><ref name="IndependentObit">{{cite news|last1=Jebb|first1=Louis|title=Mark Birley|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/mark-birley-401253.html|accessdate=12 August 2016|work=[[The Independent]]|date=2 September 2007}}</ref> His memorial service was held at [[St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge|St Paul's Church]] in Knightsbridge.<ref name="VF07">{{cite news|title=London|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A172688990/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4185b602|accessdate=29 April 2022|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=December 2007}}</ref>
He died on 24 August 2007, aged 77, following a stroke.


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/27/db2701.xml&page=1 Daily Telegraph obituary]

⚫
*[http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1873767.ece Annabel's: A tale of love, snobbery, revenge... and some jolly good cocktails] by Liz Hoggard, ''The Independent'', 15 October 2006
==Sources==
⚫
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061104231825/http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1873767.ece Annabel's: A tale of love, snobbery, revenge... and some jolly good cocktails] by Liz Hoggard, ''The Independent'', 15 October 2006
*[http://www.thepeerage.com/p20305.htm#i203041 The Peerage.com] Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart
*[http://www.thepeerage.com/p20305.htm#i203041 The Peerage.com] Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart
*Orth, Maureen. [http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/02/birley200802"Hurly Birley"]. Vanity Fair. p. 152 (6 pages in online edition). 1 February 2008. ISSN 07338899. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
*Orth, Maureen. "Hurly Birley". Vanity Fair. p.&nbsp;152 (6 pages in online edition). 1 February 2008. {{ISSN|0733-8899}}. Retrieved 30 August 2009.


{{Birley family}}
{{Birley family}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Birley, Mark}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Birley, Mark}}
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[[Category:People from London]]
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[[Category:English businesspeople]]
[[Category:Restaurateurs]]
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[[Category:Deaths from stroke]]
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:British people of English descent]]

[[Category:British people of Irish descent]]
{{UK-business-bio-stub}}
[[Category:People educated at Eton College]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College, Oxford]]
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[[Category:Businesspeople from London]]
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[[Category:British restaurateurs]]
[[Category:Birley family|Mark Birley]]
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[[Category:20th-century English businesspeople]]

Latest revision as of 07:18, 20 May 2024

Mark Birley
Born
Marcus Oswald Hornby Lecky Birley

(1930-05-29)29 May 1930
Marylebone, London, England
Died24 August 2007(2007-08-24) (aged 77)
London, England
NationalityBritish
EducationEton College
Alma materUniversity College, Oxford
Known forEntrepreneur
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1954; div. 1975)​
ChildrenRupert Birley
Robin Birley
India Jane Birley
Parent(s)Sir Oswald Birley
Rhoda Vava Mary Lecky Pike
RelativesMaxime de la Falaise (sister)
Hugh Hornby Birley (2x great-grandfather)

Marcus Oswald Hornby Lecky Birley (29 May 1930 – 24 August 2007), known as Mark Birley, was a British entrepreneur known for his investments in the hospitality industry.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Mark Birley was the son of Sir Oswald Birley (1880–1952), the royal and society portrait painter, and the artist and gardener Rhoda Vava Mary Lecky Pike. His sister, Maxime de la Falaise (1922–2009), became a noted fashion model of the 1950s; Maxime's daughter, Loulou de la Falaise (1948–2011), was a muse to the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

He was educated at Eton where he excelled at drawing. After doing his National Service he went up to University College, Oxford, to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics but he left after failing his first year exams.[2] He then started working as a copywriter for J. Walter Thompson.[3]

Career

[edit]

In 1963, Birley founded Annabel's at Berkeley Square in the Mayfair district in central London. The club was named for his wife, the former Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart, and it was the first of its kind: a member-only nightclub that catered to an exclusive clientele, including the Prince of Wales.[2]

In 1972, Birley opened Mark's Club and continued to expand his portfolio in the restaurant, nightclub and hotel business. He became the owner of the Annabel's Group, which includes Mark Birley Holdings Limited.[4] In 1979 Birley opened Harry's Bar on South Audley Street in Mayfair. It became noted for its Italian cuisine.[5] He launched a men's fragrance line, Mark Birley for Men, in 1996, in collaboration with the perfumers Frédéric Malle and Pierre Bourdon. Birley also designed the former family offices of Peter Palumbo, Baron Palumbo, in the City of London into a member's club, The Walbrook Club, which opened in 2000.[6]

In 1989 Birley established the Bath & Racquets Club on Brook's Mews.[7]

Personal life

[edit]

On 10 March 1954, he married Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart (born 1934), daughter of the 8th Marquess of Londonderry (1902–1955).[2] Annabel Birley became the mistress of Birley's former friend Sir James Goldsmith (1933–1997), and gave birth to two of Goldsmith's children while she was still married to, but separated from, Birley. The Birleys divorced in 1975.[8] Mark and Annabel had three children:

As a child Birley's son Robin was mauled and badly scarred for life by a tiger at the private zoo of family friend John Aspinall (1926–2000).[citation needed] In 1986, Birley's other son, Rupert, disappeared in Togo and was never found. He is assumed to be deceased.[9]

In his last years, Birley himself was disabled and needed to use a wheelchair. For a time, he turned over the reins of his businesses to his two surviving children.[4] In 2006, however, Birley dismissed his son Robin and returned to the helm of his empire, which until his death he ran with his daughter India Jane.[2]

Birley lived at Thurloe Lodge in South Kensington for 30 years.[10][11] India Jane sold Thurloe Lodge in 2011 for £17 million.[11] An auction of 500 of Birley's possessions from the house was held at Sotheby's in March 2013.[11] The auction realised £3.85 million.[11]

Death

[edit]

He died on 24 August 2007, aged 77, following a stroke.[2][4] His memorial service was held at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mark Birley". The Daily Telegraph. 27 August 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e Vat, Dan van der (29 August 2007). "Mark Birley". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Wild About Harry's". www.vanityfair.com. 12 October 2005.
  4. ^ a b c d Jebb, Louis (2 September 2007). "Mark Birley". The Independent. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Obituary: Mark Birley". The Times. No. 69101. 27 August 2007. p. 43. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. ^ Hall, Amanda (10 June 2000). "City Profile: The king of clubs". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  7. ^ "When playing the game means following the dress code". The Times. No. 63383. 2 May 1989. p. 21. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Mark Birley". The Daily Telegraph. 27 August 2007. Archived from the original on 23 December 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  9. ^ a b "FindArticles.com – CBSi". Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  10. ^ Bloomfield, Ruth (19 April 2013). "Birley house set for demolition". The Times. No. 70863. p. 102. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d "Mark Birley: 'His things were thrown to the wolves'". Daily Telegraph. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  12. ^ "London". Vanity Fair. December 2007. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

Sources

[edit]
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