Stephen William Silver

Stephen William Silver was born to Stephen Winckworth Silver and his wife, Frances Susan Adams, on 7 May 1817. He was a brother of Hugh Silver. They were London merchants, who took over running S. W. Silver and Co. from their father in 1846. He was responsible for developing the company's industrial presence in the area to the west of North Woolwich, which became known as Silvertown, taking its name from the company.

Stephen married Ellen Warlters on 5 February 1852 and Sarah Constance Miles on 13 May 1875.

He resided at 3 York Gate, located at an entrance to Regent's Park. Here, he housed his considerable library, which became known as the York Gate Library. he also bought a property, renamed as Silverhope, in New Zealand, and his New Zealand bird collection (catalogued by Sir Walter Buller)

He died, after a brief cold, Letcombe Regis, on 7 April 1905.