Lloyd's of London: A Study in Individualism

"Lloyd's" or "Lloyd's of London," the famous insurance company which insures on a worldwide basis, had it's beginning with Edward LLoyd (1648-1713), who owned a coffee house in London. Edward Lloyd's first enterprise was a coffee house, which kept him in business while he tried to also publish "Lloyd's News," a newspaper for merchants and shipowners. While the newspaper failed, it had developed his knowledge and interest in shipping enough that insurance became his principal interest in 1690. The book continues with the history of the insurance company down to the present time. Individuals connected with its development in the past are described, but "no mention by name to any living member of Lloyd's has been made in this book"--Page v.