means. The house is now a Grade I listed building but he would never fully enjoy the fruits of these labours as he was too firmly wedded to his business to contemplate retirement. He continued to play an active role in the company until just before he died in March 1881. Legacy The great riches generated by the success of the core textile business enabled later members of the family to pursue interests as patrons of the arts and philanthropists as well as in commerce. Notable members included Samuel Courtauld's great-nephews: Samuel Courtauld (1876–1947): became Chairman of Courtaulds in 1921, but today is probably better known as the founder of the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. Sir Stephen Courtauld MC (1883–1967), was also an arts patron and, like the earlier Samuel Courtauld, developed a talent for country house restoration. In 1933, began work on Eltham Palace in south-east London, where he and his wife lived until 1944. References 1793 births 1881 deaths English people of French descent English Unitarians British textile industry businesspeople Samuel 19th-century English businesspeople