David T. Abercrombie (June 6, 1867 – August 29, 1931), often referred to simply as Abercrombie, is the original founder of the modern lifestyle brand, Abercrombie & Fitch. A topographer and expert in the outdoors, Abercrombie opened the Company as New York's oufitter for the elite and later partnered up with co-founder Ezra Fitch - both men managed the Company through great years of success. After leaving the company, Abercrombie lived the remainder of this life in the Adirondacks with his family until his death. Today, his company, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. remains as a prominent American clothing brand. His influence in the company remains strong even today and a brand in his name was released by the company in 1998 - abercrombie. More importantly, the company is frequently referenced as simply "Abercrombie".

Contents Biography Birth, studies, and family Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Post A&F and death Modern influence References

Biography

Birth, studies, and family

David T. Abercrombie was born in Baltimore on June 6, 1867 as the son of John and Elizabeth Sarah Abercrombie née Daniel. He was educated in the public schools of Baltimore, Maryland and by private instructors. Abercrombie later came to study at Baltimore City College and became a practicing civil engineer and topographer, including explorer and chief of survey for Norfolk & Western Railroad in the coal and timber lands of West Virginia.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

On June 4, 1892, he founded Abercrombie Co. as a small waterfront shop at No.36 South Street in downtown Manhattan, New York; wealthy New York lawyer Ezra Fitch was one of his regular customers.^[1] On April 25, 1896, Abercrombie married Lucy Abbot Cate in Baltimore. The couple gave birth to four children: Elizabeth, Lucy, David, and Abbott. The Abercrombie family resided in Newark, New Jersey for some years and maintained a log cabin getaway on Pine Island on Greenwood Lake, New Jersey. Later they resided in Brooklyn, New York and finally in Ossining, New York.

In 1900, Ezra Fitch, a wealthy New York lawyer, bought a share into Abercrombie's successfully growing Company. In 1904, it was incorporated and re-named, "Abercrombie & Fitch Co." Abercrombie later often disputed with Ezra Fitch because he disapproved of Fitch's invisions of expanding the Company to the general public - Abercrombie wanted to continue the Company as an elite store for the elite outdoorsman in mind. Possibly annoyed, he finally left the Company in 1907, selling his share of it to Ezra Fitch who continued the Company under his own management and liking.

Post A&F and death

In 1917, Abercrombie joined Baker, Murray & Imbrie ("The Sporting Goods Store of Expert Personal Service") as Vice President. He later founded the "David T. Abercrombie Company", a New York City sportsmen?s outfitter, and "Abercrombie Corporation", which packed commodities for export. He died intestate in Ossining at his country estate, a stone castle named Elda, overlooking the Hudson Valley and Long Island Sound.

Modern influence

The image of Abercrombie & Fitch today.

Unlike Ezra Fitch, Abercrombie's name has never been used for clothing lines and other products for the A&F brand (Fitch's lines have been removed).

References

• "D.T. ABERCROMBIE, SPORTSMAN, IS DEAD; Originator of Noted Firm Dealing in Sporting Goods--Was Explorer, Hunter, Fisherman." New York Times August 30, 1931, page N6.
• "ABERCROMBIE LEFT ESTATE OF $10,793; Founder of Sporting Goods Firm Bequeathed Property to Widow and Three Children", New York Times March 12, 1932, page 6.
• Photo of David Abercrombie's Ossining castle