David Oliver
Mayor of Oxford 1945/6
David Oliver (1878–1954) was born in Oxford, the son of John Oliver (born in Wallingford in 1842) and Sarah Ann (born in Gosford in 1846). He had six older siblings: John Frank (b.1867), Florence (b.1869), Alice (b.1871), Agnes (b.1872), Clara (b. 1875), and Albert (b.1877). His parents lived in Botley (then in Berkshire) between 1867 and 1872, although Florence was born in Leominster in Hereford in 1869.
The family came to Oxford in 1874, when David’s father John established a printing business in George Street (St Mary Magdalen parish). It was near the south-west end (No. 47 under the old-style consecutive numbering of that street). John’s father is described in a directory of 1875 as a “printer, publisher, and book binder, and publisher of the Oxford Weekly Messenger”, and is listed in the 1881 census as a printer, employing one boy. David was educated at the Central School, which was over the stables in Gloucester Green.
In 1888 the Oliver family moved to the north-west side of the street, three doors to the east of Chain Alley (No. 55 under the old-style numbering, renumbered 62 in about 1895). In 1890 the business expanded to include a second set of premises at 44 St Ebbe’s Street, where John Oliver was described as a stationer, newsagent, and tobacconist. The family moved from their George Street home to live over their shop in St Ebbe’s Street (St Peter-le-Bailey parish). They can be found there at the time of the 1891 census, when five of their children, including David (aged 12 and still at school) were living at home.
David joined his father’s firm on leaving school in about 1893. He was a well-known local footballer when young.
In about 1900 the Olivers closed the St Ebbe’s side of the business, but continued to live upstairs at 44 St Ebbe’s Street for a few more years. They can be found there in the 1901 census, when only Clara (a tailoress of 25) and David (a printer of 22) still lived with their parents.
In 1903 David Oliver married Violet Lilian Ives, and soon afterwards was made a full partner in the business, which from 1907 is listed in directories as Oliver & Son.
The 1911 census shows David Oliver (32), described as a letterpress printer, living at 35 Abbey Road, Oxford with his wife Violet (33) and their first two children: Hubert David (3) and Gwendoline Violet (10 months). His widower father John (68), also described as a letterpress printer, was living with them, as well as David’s unmarried sister Clara (35) and his maried sister Alice (39) with her two Bristol-born children.
Oliver served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the First World War: he worked in a field ambulance unit, and reached the rank of Corporal. In 1919, when his father died, he took over the family firm, which became known as David Oliver, printers.
Oliver was first elected to the City Council in 1933 as the Conservative representative for the West Ward. He served on various committees, and took a special interest in the blind and the elderly.
Oliver had two sons and one daughter. His son Kenneth joined him in the family business in about 1940, when it reverted back to the old name of Oliver & Son, while his other son was ordained.
Oliver was elected Sheriff for 1942/3 and in 1945 was elected Mayor of Oxford (for 1945/6). During his mayoralty he welcomed George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Oxford when they came to open the New Bodleian Library.
Oliver died at the Radcliffe Infirmary on 7 March 1954. His funeral was at the then City Church of St Martin and All Saints Church, and he was buried in Botley Cemetery.
The business remained at the north-west end of George Street until 1931, when the area to the west of Chain Alley was redeveloped as the present JobCentre building. David Oliver then moved across the road to the south side at the present No. 73 , just a few doors down from where he had been born. The business remained there until 2003, when it moved to 11a West Way, Botley. (The old building was converted to the Yo Sushi restaurant. in 2007.) His grandson Graham Oliver and great-grandson Paul Oliver are still involved in the business.
See also:
- Oxford Monthly, July 1935, p. 38 (brief description of the printing business of Oliver & Son)
- Oxford Mail, 8 March 1954, p. 1f (obituary)
- Oxford Times, 12 March 1954, p. 7a (obituary and funeral)
- Oxford Mail of 12 March 1954, p. 3g (funeral)
- 1881 Census: Oxford (St Mary Magdalen), 1502/35
- 1891 Census: Oxford (St Peter-le-Bailey), 1168/20
- 1901 Census: Oxford (St Peter-le-Bailey), 1385/45
- Website of Oliver & Son (Oxford) Ltd