William Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes
British motor manufacturer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about William Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
William Edward Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes GBE (17 August 1894 – 12 December 1964) was a British motor manufacturer. He opened his first car sales agency in 1913, leading to the global Rootes Group. During the Second World War he supervised the volume manufacture of aircraft and engines, as well as the supply of military motor vehicles and armoured fighting vehicles.[1] He was knighted in 1942 for these services and for organising the reconstruction of bomb-damaged Coventry after its saturation bombing by the Luftwaffe on 14–15 November 1940. In the 1950s, he became a leader of Britain's export drive,[1] and chaired a committee to found the University of Warwick with a vision of academic links with industry.[2] The Rootes Social Building and halls of residence were built at the university c. 1966, named posthumously in his honour.[2][3]
The Lord Rootes | |
---|---|
Born | William Edward Rootes (1894-08-17)17 August 1894 |
Died | 12 December 1964(1964-12-12) (aged 70) |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Businessman |
Known for | Founder of Rootes Group |