Michael Hornby
Michael Charles St John Hornby (2 January 1899 – 7 December 1987) was vice chairman of WHSmith, the British retail chain, for over 20 years.
Michael Charles St John Hornby was born on 2 January 1899, the son of St John Hornby and his wife Cicely Rachel Emily Barclay.
He was vice chairman of WHSmith, the British retail chain from 1944 to 1965.[1]
In 1960, following the verdict in favour of Penguin Books and the subsequent publication of Lady Chatterley's Lover, Hornby commented, "It will be stocked but it will not be on display. You will have to ask for it."[2]
He married Nicolette Joan Ward, the daughter of Captain Hon. Cyril Augustus Ward and Baroness Irene de Brienen, on 15 November 1928. They lived at Pussey House, Faringdon, Berkshire, and had children:
- Susan Mary Hornby (1929–2005), who married John Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough
- Sir Simon Michael Hornby (1934–2010)
- Charles Nicholas Hornby (1939–1996)
