Stuart C. Davidson
Stuart C. Davidson (September 9, 1922 – August 1, 2001) was an American businessman known for being the founder of the Clyde's of Georgetown restaurant in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. and the Clyde's Restaurant Group which owns and operates multiple restaurants in the Washington metropolitan area.
Stuart C. Davidson | |
---|---|
Born | Stuart Carleton Davidson September 9, 1922 Dayton, Ohio, United States |
Died | August 1, 2001 78) Oslo, Norway | (aged
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Businessman |
Years active | 1963–2001 |
Spouse(s) | Sally Davidson |
Biography
Davidson was born in Dayton, Ohio and grew up in Washington, D.C., graduating from St. Albans School.[1] He attended Harvard College, with a two-year break during World War II when he served as a United States Army Air Forces pilot.[2] He also earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and worked as an investment banker for Kidder, Peabody & Co. and Wertheim & Co..[1][2]
In 1963, Davidson opened Clyde's in Georgetown, shortly after the liquor laws in Washington, D.C. were loosened to permit service of hard liquor to patrons standing at bars.[1][2] The restaurant was immediately profitable, and Davidson partnered with a former Clyde's dishwasher, John G. Laytham, to expand the business to Clyde's Restaurant Group, opening five more Clyde's restaurants, purchasing the Old Ebbitt Grill, and opening several more restaurants in the Washington metropolitan area.[1][2]
Davidson died of complications from acute myeloid leukemia at a hospital in Oslo, Norway on August 1, 2001.[1][2]
References
- Bernstein, Adam (August 9, 2001). "Stuart Davidson Dies at 78". The Washington Post.
- Martin, Douglas (August 8, 2001). "Stuart C. Davidson, 78, Owner Of Legendary Washington Bar". The New York Times.