Lord was born in Saddleworth, West Riding of Yorkshire, the youngest of five children and was left an orphan while young.
[1] Lord served an apprenticeship in the trade of iron moulder, rising to be master of the craft.
[2] He borrowed $1,000 from his wife's uncle and in 1826 established a "dry goods" store at 47 Catherine Street in what is now Two Bridges, Manhattan, New York.
[3] The Lord & Taylor Building, the Starrett & van Vleck-designed Fifth Avenue store and headquarters opened between 38th and 39th streets on February 24, 1914.
[5][6] Having retired in 1862[1] from managing his retail business, which he handed over to his two sons, in 1866 he returned to England and resided at Oakleigh, on The Avenue in Ashton upon Mersey, where he pursued his recreation of horticulture.