Nicholas Duckworth

Nicholas Duckworth, the son of Hugh and Mary Duckworth, was born in Liverpool in about 1817. He attended Liverpool College until December 1831, studying Classics.

Nicholas followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a cotton merchant. His father had served an apprenticeship with Nicholas Waterhouse, starting business on his own account in 1805. Nicholas Duckworth became a partner in about 1839, (the firm being called Duckworth and Marsden) and became one of the most esteemed members of the Cotton Brokers' Association. He became a partner in the firm of Duckworth and Rathbone (the other partner being Mr. Benson Rathbone) and later Nicholas Duckworth & Sons.

After he retired, he became fond of visiting the newsroom to talk to his friends. He was frequently invited to take part in public affairs, but despite being a Conservative, he never agreed.

On October 27, 1889, Nicholas Duckworth died at his residence, Elmswood House, in Mossley Hill. He was buried with his wife, Lucinda Ann Eyes, at Holy Trinity Church, Wavertree. According to probate records, his personal estate was valued at £286,029 19s 4d.

On October 29, 1889, the Liverpool Courier wrote:

"His kindly, generous nature and open-handed benevolence made him highly respected in the neighbourhood of Aigburth and Mossley Hill. As a merchant he was enterprising, far-seeing, and successful, and when in active business life his opinion was taken with regard to some important commercial matters at different arises in the cotton market, particularly at the period of the American Confederate war."