Joseph Rowntree

Joseph Rowntree (24th May 1836 - 24th February 1925) was a Quaker philanthropist and businessman.

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 making it Britain's eightieth largest manufacturing employer. It merged with John Mackintosh and Co. in 1969 and was taken over by Nestlé in 1988.

Joseph Rowntree was a supporter of liberal values, 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 1904 he gave half of his wealth to the charitable trusts he created. Four Rowntree trusts bear Joseph Rowntree's name and continue his philanthropic work to this day.