Charles Pierre Melly

Charles Pierre Melly (born Tuebrook, now Liverpool; 25 May 1829 – 10 November 1888) was a cotton merchant[1] in the company of Melly, Forget & Co. and philanthropist.

The drinking fountain on Picton Road

Charles Pierre Melly
Born(1829-05-25)May 25, 1829
Tuebrook, now Liverpool, England
DiedNovember 10, 1888(1888-11-10) (aged 59)
SpouseLouise Forget

Melly was the son of Swiss-born cotton merchant Andre Melly and the brother of the liberal MP George Melly. He was well known for his drinking fountains,[2] which he created to make drinking water available to the public. Most of these drinking fountains are to be found in Liverpool, but some can be found as far afield as Southampton.[3] Some early fountains, particularly around the docks, were in cast iron. The later, and best known, were in Aberdeen pink granite, to a standard design.

In January 1858 Melly applied to purchase a piece of corporation land for the purpose of transforming it into a free recreative ground, and fitting it up with a gymnasium and other appliances for the use of the local working-class people.[4] With John Hulley, he founded the Liverpool Athletic Club at the Rotunda Gymnasium, Bold Street, Liverpool, and was its first president.[5]

Personal life

In 1854, Melly married his cousin, Louise Forget, (1825–1899) in Geneva. They made their home at Riversley, his parents' house in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, and had seven sons and a daughter.[1] Their youngest son, Henry Greg Melly (born 1869), was a pioneer aviator and founder of the Liverpool Aviation School. Melly was suffering from depression towards the end of his life and committed suicide.[2]

    References
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charles Pierre Melly.
    1. "Melly, Charles Pierre". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
    2. "Charles Pierre Melly and his Drinking Fountains". Liverpool Monuments.
    3. "Drinking Fountain". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
    4. The Standard, 12 January 1858 – Recreations for the People
    5. Liverpool Mercury, 3 December 1863 – Grand Assault at Arms


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