Francis De Groot b. 1 January 1888

  • Designer (Furniture Designer / Cabinetmaker)
De Groot was a quixotic Sydney character from his arrival from Ireland in 1910 until his return to Dublin in 1950. Best known for his spectacular opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932, his most significant contribution to the city is the design, manufacturing and marketing of period reproduction furniture. His clients included S.H. Ervin, Dame Eadith Walker, Dame Nellie Melba and other luminaries.

Citations

  • Frank De Groot (1962), 'Typescript of Autobiographical Information.’, Australia.

  • Michael Bogle (1 January 2000), '“Antiques of the Future.”’.Australiana. February 2000, pps. 19-26.

  • James R. Lawson (1 January 1949), 'Catalogue of A Most Important Collection of Antique and Period Furniture…Major Frank De Groot owing to his immediate departure for abroad…”’.

  • “Australian Furniture.” Architectural Section, (J.L. Stephen Mansfield, editor.), Art in Australia 16 November 1936, pps.77-88. [furniture by S. Lipson, Molly Gray/Ricketts and Thorp, Fred Ward, F.E. de Groot, Hera Roberts, Stuart-Low Furniture Studio, H. Goldman P/L, Mewton and Grounds, E.F. Bilson/Branchflower]