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. May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... Charles Darwin 1836 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Religious Society of Friends (commonly known as Quakers or Friends) is a loose knit religious or spiritual movement founded in England in the 17th century by people who were dissatisfied with the existing denominations and sects of Christianity. ... A philanthropist is someone who devotes his time, money, or effort towards helping others. ... York is a city in northern England, at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss. ... 1869 (MDCCCLXIX) is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Rowntrees is a brand of Nestlé SA and is currently known for a range of fruit gums and pastilles, plus a number of ice lollies (made by Richmond Foods). ... Nestlé S.A. or Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, is the worlds biggest food and beverage company. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. The Liberal Party was one of the two major British political parties from the early 19th century until the 1920s, and a third party of varying strength and importance up to 1988, when it merged with the Social Democratic Party to form a new party which would become known as...

In 1902 he bought 150 acres (607,000 m²) at New Earswick, to the north of York, to build houses for low-income families. 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... New Earswick is a village in the unitary authority of City of York in the north of England, near the River Foss, north of York and south of Haxby. ...

The four Rowntree trusts bear Joseph Rowntree's name and continue his philanthropic work: The four Rowntree Trusts are funded from the legacies of the Quaker chocolate entrepreneurs and social reformers Joseph Rowntree and Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree. ...

• 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. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party in the United Kingdom. ... Bootham School is an independent boarding school in the city of York, England, founded by Quakers in 1823. ... A comprehensive school is a secondary school that accepts pupils of all abilities. ... High school - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

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. He is also thought to be an inspiration for the Willy Wonka character in Roald Dahl's famous children's book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Retreat is a not for profit charitable organisation in the United Kingdom. ... The Religious Society of Friends (commonly known as Quakers or Friends) is a loose knit religious or spiritual movement founded in England in the 17th century by people who were dissatisfied with the existing denominations and sects of Christianity. ... This page is about the character. ... Patricia Neal and Roald Dahl, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1954 Roald Dahl (September 13, 1916 – November 23, 1990) was a British novelist and short story author of Norwegian descent, famous as a writer for both children and adults. ... Original book cover of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with illustrations by Joseph Schindelman For the 1971 film, see Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. ...

External links

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