A fact from William Stern (businessman) appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 26 November 2008, and was viewed approximately 505 times (disclaimer) (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:
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Oooh, fantastic, cheers for that. I'd previously checked Companies House without success, but didn't realise that the Gazette's records were so easily searchable. Looks like 1978 to 1987 was the term? I originally (mis)read the Evening Standard citation as being "1979, discharged". Looks like the actual insolvency was 1978 and finished in 1987? I'll fix the date just now. --DeLarge (talk) 11:14, 21 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That sounds about right, there's full details of the dividends he paid out amongst that as well, I don't know if that's worth a mention. There's no trace of the second bankruptcy, but that's probably becuase 1998 and 99 Gazette issues aren't yet full available online. David Underdown (talk) 11:18, 21 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Hmmm, I don't think that much detail is needed, especially given that the article is only 5k long. Worried about undue weight going to the minutae of his fall from grace, when it was the business failure and his colossal debts that were the really notable factors.
I did notice while trawling through those archives that he applied to be discharged in 1981. "Oh come on, your honour, it was only £118m after all..." --DeLarge (talk) 11:49, 21 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]
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