Francis Lycett

Born in Worcester, he was the son of Philip Francis Lycett (c.1777- 2 May 1860^[3]) and his wife Mary nee Jenks (who died 26 September 1841^[4]). Following his education at a private school in Worcester, Francis initially entered employment in the family glove works.^[1][2][5]

In 1832, he became the manager of the London headquarters of Dent, Allcroft & Co., a large glove-making business located in Worcester.^[1][2] He was based in the City of London and became a member of the city's corporation.^[2]

In 1847, he became a partner in Dent, Allcroft & Co. As at 1 January 1855 there were three partners in the firm: Francis Lycett, John Derby Allcroft, and John Girvan, and the business had operations in Paris (5-7 Rue Hauteville) and Grenoble (Place Grenette) as well as London and Worcester.^[6] He retired from that business ("Dent, Allcroft, Lycett and Co.") in 1865.^[7][1] His two partners at that stage, John Derby Allcroft (1822-1893) and Thomas Mason (1813-1888), continued together in the business until Mason retired in December 1872, with Allcroft then taking over as the sole partner.^[8]

Although retired from glove-making in 1865, Lycett appears to have maintained some business interests. In 1872 he was the largest shareholder in The Mercantile Steam Ship Company Limited (registered in August 1871), holding 2,000 of the 13,000 eight-pounds-paid shares taken up in that company.^[9] One of this company`s ships was called the "Lady Lycett" (1833 gross tons, length 262.5 feet, launched 1872).

Francis Lycett continued his association with the City of London, in 1866 being elected as one of the two Sheriffs of London and Middlesex.^[1] He appointed George Thomas Perks (1819-1877) to be his chaplain. This was the first time a Methodist minister had been appointed chaplain to a Sheriff of London. He was knighted on 3 August 1867,^[10] became a justice of the peace for Middlesex and a Deputy Lieutenant for the City of London in 1869.^{[1][11][12][13]}