David T. Abercrombie came into the world on June 6 of 1867. As he grew, his parents, John and Elizabeth Sarah Abercrombie, were well enough off that they could supply him with private instructors when they chose to do so. The rest of the time, he went to Baltimore public schools. He finished off his education with study at the Baltimore City College.



After leaving college, Abercrombie became a topographer and civil engineer. He was considered an authority on the great outdoors as long as he lived. His surveying job was a career which he pursued vigorously until 1892. It was at that time that he founded his outfitting business. The business catered only to the elite outdoorsman at that time, but Abercrombie was kept busy nonetheless.

In 1896, David T. Abercrombie got married. His marriage with wife Lucy Abbot Cate would eventually produce four children over the years. The family lived in Newark, New Jersey. They enjoyed the outdoors in a vacation log cabin whenever they could. In his life, Abercrombie would live in the Northeast United States -- in Baltimore and Newark, and in Brooklyn and Ossing New York.

Ezra Fitch joined his company in 1900, and shortly after that the company name became Abercrombie and Fitch. While the two men worked side by side at the business, they did not always agree. Fitch wanted the store to offer its goods to everyone, but Abercrombie preferred to outfit only the elite. In 1907 he had apparently had enough, and sold out to Fitch. Fitch kept the name.

Abercrombie did not leave business altogether, though. When he left his original store, he became involved with a sporting goods store as vice president. In later years he had another venture, which he named the David T. Abercrombie Company. It was based in New York and was meant for upscale sportsmen.

David T. Abercrombie died on August 29, 1931 after a very successful life. The man either was not concerned about his estate or had some problem accomplishing a valid will, because he died intestate. What he did unquestionably leave to all was a brand of clothing that is famous to this day. His brand will not soon be forgotten, even by those who do not know his full name.