Master Alfred Farquhar
(1852-1928)
17 September 1861

Volume 5, page 109, sitting number 5780.

Alfred Farquhar was the son of the banker Harvie Morton Farquhar (1816-1887) of Herries Farquhar Bank. He appears on the 1861 census living with his parents and siblings at 60 Lowndes Square, Knightsbridge. Aged 8 at the time of the census, he was born in Chelsea.

Alfred Farquhar followed his father into the banking business.

He died on 28 December 1928 at 11 Belgrave Square, London, leaving an estate valued at £1,667,682.

According to a report in the Derby Daily Telegraph (1 January 1929), 'A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at an inquest at Westminster to-day, on Mr Alfred Farquhar, aged 76, one of the best known personalities in London's clubland, who died on Friday, six days after being found lying at the foot of the stairs of his house in Belgrave-square. 

'The Coroner (Mr Ingleby Oddie) said that there was no reason to suppose it was a case of suicide. Mr Farquhar was a well-known man in a comfortable position. It was quite likely he had had an attack of faintness while on the stairs and pitched over the bannister. Evidence was given that Mr Farquhar was subject to fits of giddiness.'

According to an earlier report in the Belfast Telegraph (31 December 1928), he was 'one of the best-known and wealthiest figures in London's clubland. [...] While in the Beefsteak Club on Saturday week he was suddenly overcome by faintness. He was taken to his home in Belgrave Square by friends, and went to bed. Early on the following morning a housemaid found him lying at the foot of the stairs in the hall seriously injured. He died on Friday. [...] Every morning Mr Farquhar would leave his home in Belgrave Square, cross Hyde Park corner to Piccadilly, and stroll slowly by the Bachelor's Club along Piccadilly and then turn down St James's Street to one of the many clubs of which he was a member. He never lunched at home except on Sundays.'