Richard Cadbury

Richard Cadbury

Richard Cadbury (29 August 1835 – 22 March 1899) was a British chocolate manufacturer and philanthropist. He was the second son of John Cadbury, the founder of Cadbury's cocoa and chocolate company.

Early Life

Richard Cadbury was born in Birmingham, England. He was educated at the Quaker Friends' School in Ackworth, Yorkshire. After leaving school, he joined his father's business, which was then known as 'Cadbury Brothers of Birmingham'.

Career

In 1861, Richard and his brother George took over the family business following their father's retirement. They struggled initially, but the business began to prosper after they introduced a new method of pressing cocoa butter to produce a purer form of cocoa. This led to the creation of the first Cadbury chocolate bar.

Richard was also responsible for the design of the first Cadbury logo, which was an image of his own signature. He was a pioneer in the use of advertising and marketing to promote his products, and he is credited with creating the first Valentine's Day chocolate box.

Philanthropy

Richard Cadbury was a committed Quaker and he used his wealth to support a variety of charitable causes. He donated land for the construction of the Bournville village, which was designed to provide good quality housing for Cadbury workers. He also funded the construction of the Bournville Cricket Pavilion and the Selly Oak Hospital.

Personal Life

Richard Cadbury married twice and had seven children. His first wife was Emma Wilson, with whom he had three children. After her death, he married Maria Tyler, with whom he had four children.

Death and Legacy

Richard Cadbury died in 1899. His legacy lives on in the Cadbury company, which continues to be a major player in the global chocolate industry. The Bournville village and other institutions he helped to establish also continue to thrive.

See Also

• Cadbury
• Bournville
• Quaker
• Friends' School
• Valentine's Day
• Selly Oak Hospital
• Bournville Cricket Pavilion

References

• Cadbury Brothers of Birmingham
• John Cadbury
• George Cadbury
• Emma Wilson
• Maria Tyler