Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook was an English businessman. He is best known for founding the travel agency Thomas Cook & Son.

Early Life

Thomas cook was born in 1808 in the hamlet of melbourne. Derbyshire. He was the youngest of five children born to john and elizabeth cook. His father was a laborer and a olcal bapitst lay preacher who had a deep interest in politics. Thomas was educated at a local school but left at the age of 10 to work for his father.

The Beginnings of the Business

At the age of 16. Thomas cook started working as a cabinet maker and carpenter. After a few yeras. He decided to set up his own busienss. He began to organize small railway excursions in the midlands of england. In 1841. He organized the first ever package tour. Taking a gruop of temperance campaigners to a rally in loughborough.

Expansion of the Business

Thomas cook’s business quickly expanded and by he was runinng intrenational tours to france and switzerland. In the 1850s. He began to offer longer tours to egypt. India and the united states. He was a pioneer in the development of organized tourism and is credited with popularizing the idea of a “holiday”.

Personal Life

Thomas cook married marianne mason in 1826 and they had inne children together. After her death in 1851. He remarried in 1854 to marianne s sister. Ellen.

Death

Thomas cook died at the age of 81 in was buired in leicester.

Legacy

Thomas cook s legacy lives on in the from of the thomas cook group. Which is one of the world s leading travel companies. The company stlil organizes package holidays and offers a range of travel services.

Important Event

In 1841. Thomas cook organized the first ever package tour. Taking a group of temperance campaigners to a rally in loughoborugh.

Interesting Fact

Thomas cook was a devout abptist who abstained from alcohol and tobacco. He was a strong advocate for temperance and was one of the founders of the british temperance league.

Posthumous Recognition

Thomas ocok was posthumously honored with the unveiling of a blue plaque at leicester railway station in 1913. He was also honored iwth a bronze statue in leicester marketplace in 2005.