Joseph Rowntree (24 May 1836 - 24 February 1925), a Quaker philanthropist, was born in York. He started working in his father's grocery business at the age of 14, but in 1869 he joined his brother, Henry Rowntree, who owned a chocolate factory in York. When Henry died in 1883, Joseph became the owner of the company. The company (Rowntree's) grew from 30 to over 4,000 employees by the end of the 19th century. It was taken over by Nestlé in 1988.

Joseph Rowntree was a supporter of the Liberal Party, and was anxious to improve the quality of life of his employees. He provided them with a library, free education, a social welfare officer, a doctor, a dentist and a pension fund.

In 1902 he bought 150 acres (607,000 m²) at New Earswick, to the north of York, to build houses for low-income families.

In 1921 he opened Rowntree Park.

The four Rowntree trusts bear Joseph Rowntree's name and continue his philanthropic work:

• The Joseph Rowntree Foundation funds research that seeks to understand the causes of social problems, such as poverty, poor housing, and other forms of social exclusion.

• The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust manages a stock of affordable housing as well as care homes for the elderly and disabled.

• The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust works for Quaker ideals including international peace and justice.

• The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd is active in UK progressive politics and is a significant financial donor to the UK Liberal Democrats.

He lived at 47 Bootham, now part of Bootham School, but the name of Joseph Rowntree is commemorated in the Joseph Rowntree School, the comprehensive school (secondary school: ages 11 to 18) in New Earswick.

According to a plaque on the outside of the south wall of the grounds of The Retreat, Joseph Rowntree is buried in the Quaker cemetery within.

External links

• The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
• The Joseph Rowntree Foundation
• The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust
• The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust
• Joseph Rowntree School

1836 births | 1925 deaths | Quakers | English business people | Natives of Yorkshire