Rudolph Palumbo Explained

Rudolph Palumbo (27 March 1901 – 16 July 1987) was a British property developer who made his fortune redeveloping Second World War bombsites in London.^[1]

Early life

Rudolph (originally Rodolfo) Palumbo was the son of Pasquale and Gaetana Palumbo from Amalfi, who ran a cafe in Lower Thames Street.^{[2] [1] [3]}

Career

Palumbo's development company was called City Acre; he built its headquarters building in 1952,^[3] at 37A Walbrook, as the family office. Following an extensive conversion by Mark Birley, the Walbrook Club opened in 2000.^[4]

His portrait was painted by Oskar Kokoschka in 1960; this still hangs in its original position above the fireplace in what was his office and is now the dining room at 37A Walbrook.^{[3] [4]}

Personal life

Palumbo married Elsie Annie Gregory, a classical musician from Lancashire; their only child is Peter Palumbo, who like his father is a property developer.^{[1] [5]}

Rudolph Palumbo is buried in the churchyard of St Stephen Walbrook, London.^[6]

Notes and References

1. News: Hollingsworth . Mark . Davies . Caroline . Palumbo children accuse father of extravagance as family feud resumes . . 2016-12-01.
2. 1911 England Census; London; City of London; St Sepulchre and All Hallows; 05
3. Web site: Profile: Builder of dreams or monuments?: Peter Palumbo, a visionary at the Arts Council . . 1993-12-04 . 2016-12-01.
4. Web site: The Walbrook - The Dining Room . Walbrook-club.co.uk . 2016-12-01.
5. Web site: Biography . Lord Peter Palumbo . 1935-07-20 . 2016-12-01.
6. Web site: Grave Site of Rudolph Palumbo (1901-1987) . BillionGraves.com . 1987-07-16 . 2016-12-01.