Who was George Cadbury?
Factory owner and Philanthropist.
Date and Place of Birth:
19th September 1839, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.
Family Background:
Son of John Cadbury, a tea and coffee dealer,
and Candia. George and his brother Richard took over their father's
failing chocolate business in April 1861. The cadbury's were members
of the Society of Friends or Quakers.
Education:
His education at local Quaker schools finished
abruptly when he was 16 at the death of his mother.
Chronology/Biography of George Cadbury:
1855: Death of his
mother. His father's health was also poor and George joined his
brothers to help out in the family business.
1861: His eldest
brother RIchard and he took control of the company.
1866: The Cadbury
Company became the first in Britain to sell cocoa as a drink. THe
beans were ground with sugar to make a powder to which milk and
hot water were added. Despite his hectic business life Cadbury still
taught on Sundays at the Birmingham Adult School and was well known
for his good works to those less well off than himself.
1879: Headquarters
of the Cadbury Chocolate and Cocoa firm moved to Bournville, Birmingham
as the existing premises had been outgrown. A model factory and
village was built at Bournville and was one of the first examples
of a garden city in England. Cadbury built 24 houses on the site
for the main workers but later another 300 were added to form the
attractive Bournville Village. These houses were vastly superior
to other homes of the working class and Cadbury saw to it that each
had its own garden. Other facilities such as schools, wash houses
reading rooms and hospitals were all included in the Vilalage. Cad
bury also encouraged sporting activity amongst his employees.
1897: The first
production of milk chocolate began. The first chocolate was based
on the Swiss model but Cadbury's later added full cream milk to
make the famous lighter coloured Cadbury's Dairy Milk. Cadbury was
actively involved in politics and supported William Gladstone
and became a Councillor for the Liberal Party on Birmingham Town
Council and Worcestershire County Council.
1902: He became
proprietor of the newspaper the "Daily News" which he
used to put forward his views on social reform such as the introduction
of the old age pension.
1906: Cadbury paid
over £60,000 into a pension fund for his employees.He still
taught at Sunday School and organised events for local children
in his specially constructed theatre in the grounds of his home
Northfield Manor.
1914: A devote pacifist
who had opposed the Boer War he was dismayed at how the Liberals
took the country into the Fist World War and switched his allegiance
to the Independent Labour Party who were anti war.
Marriage:
To Elizabeth Mary Taylor.
Places of Interest:
BIRMINGHAM:
Cadbury World, Bournville
Bournville Village Green
Former home now Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, 1046 Bristol Road,
B29 6LJ
Date and Place of Death:
24th October 1922, Northfield Manor, Birmingham,
England.
Age at Death:
83.
Site of Grave:
Ashes in an urn in the Friend’s Meeting
House, Bournville, Birmingham.
