Dubois

Biography

Dubois joined Robert Stodart's New York piano business in 1821, and the firm traded as Dubois & Stodart until 1836, when Stodart retired and George Bacon and Chambers joined. Five years later Dubois and Chambers withdrew from the firm, which continued under later partners and eventually became the Bacon Piano Company. From Spillane (1890): William Dubois became the nominal successor to the Paffs' piano-dealing business in New York. He was reportedly born in the West Indies and had previously worked as a ship merchant handling pianos between New York and London, but he had no practical knowledge of pianoforte-making and was not a musician. In 1821 he joined forces with the newly arrived Robert Stodart Jr. to found Dubois & Stodart, furnishing the firm's capital while Stodart supplied manufacturing expertise; the firm quickly became prominent. When a Mr. Chambers was admitted as partner some years later, Stodart withdrew. In 1836 George Bacon joined, forming Dubois, Bacon & Chambers, and Dubois himself withdrew around 1841.

Highlights

• Joined Robert Stodart's firm in 1821, forming Dubois & Stodart
• Reputedly born in the West Indies; had worked as a ship merchant handling pianos between New York and London before entering the trade.
• Founded Dubois & Stodart in 1821 with Robert Stodart Jr., furnishing the firm's capital despite having no practical or musical knowledge of pianos.
• Withdrew from the firm around 1841.

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 277.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), p. 108.

Public domain.