[2] At 12, he received two years' education with a local clergyman, before being sent at age 14 to London to live with family (most likely, his uncle).

[4] Demand for the strong, black porter had begun to the grow and Whitbread identified the need for scale to ensure commercial success, moving the business to larger premises on the site of the derelict Kings Head Brewery in Chiswell Street in 1750.

[5] Starting over, Whitbread invested in all the latest technology to industrialize production,[6] storing the beer in large vats.

[7] Whitbread was appointed High Sheriff of Hertfordshire for 1767–68 and elected Member of Parliament for Bedford in 1768, and held the seat until 1790,[8] and then represented Steyning from 1792 to 1796.

[12] Whitbread became wealthy from the success of his brewery and bought several large estates: these included Lord Torrington's Southill Park, Elstow Manor, and other substantial property in Bedfordshire[13][14] and High House, Purfleet, Essex.