Hidden People of Yorkshire: Philanthropists, Businesspeople & Industrialists Philanthropists Joseph Rowntree (1836-1925) York Lady Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Hastings (1682-1739) Philanthropist and businessman, brother of Henry Castleford Isaac Rowntree, father of Seebhom Rowntree. Although he did work for a time in his brother’s Although born a wealthy aristocrat who inherited business he is more renowned for developing a the estate of Ledston Hall, she used her wealth to number of trusts focused specifically in improving the support many charitable trusts, schools, university quality of life for the poor. He dedicated his life to the scholarships and poor relief. Her commendable efforts eradication of poverty. His trust, the Joseph Rowntree have seen a number of schools named after her. She Foundation, still operates with the same principles is acknowledged as the main investor behind Holy today investing millions of pounds to support studies Trinity Church in Leeds. relating to poverty. Sir William Hillary Rev. Benjamin Waugh (1771-1847) (1839-1908) Garsdale Settle Former soldier, author and philanthropist but best A Victorian social reformer and campaigner whose known as the founder of the Royal National Lifeboat actions have left a lasting legacy and helped many institution (RNLI) in 1824. thousands of Britain people, though his name may have been forgotten. His life’s work was to found of Sir Titus Salt the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to (1803-1876) Children (NSPCC). Morley A world renowned manufacturer and entrepreneur, politician and philanthropist. Salt began life as an apprentice in Wakefield but quickly rose to success. Businesspeople, Artisans & He would become known for the development of Industrialists Alpaca wool into luxury fabrics but more importantly for being the founder of Saltaire, a township built John ‘Blind Jack’ Metcalf exclusively for the benefit of his workers on the (1717-1810) outskirts of Bradford. He is rightly regarded as one of Knaresborough the most important Bradfordians in history. Blinded at the age of 6, Metcalf became one of the most prolific turnpike road builders in the country. Sir Henry Ripley He spent his career navigating some of the most (1814-1882) challenging areas of Yorkshire and pioneering new Bowling routes for trade and travel. Businessman, MP, philanthropist. Ripley made his fortune running an important company called Bowling Thomas Chippendale Dyeworks which was established by his grandfather (1718-1779) in 1806. Like Titus Salt, he built on his family’s legacy Otley by building a village for his workers called Ripleyville. It was located in south Bradford in the area of West Regarded as one of the finest and certainly best Bowling and stood for 100 years but has now sadly known cabinet makers and interior designers of been demolished and all but forgotten. his generation. He used the finest quality wood to produce highly crafted pieces of furniture in the English Rococo and Neoclassical styles. His work is highly prized in the antiques market today and his name is known throughout the world. Hidden Schools Tour: Impressions Gallery Hidden People of Yorkshire: Philanthropists, Businesspeople & Industrialists George Dunhill Samuel Cunliffe Lister (1760) (1815-1906) Pontefract Bradford Inventor of Liquorice Sweets. Liquorice has been Inventor, industrialist and businessman. Like Titus enjoyed for thousands of years in ancient Egyptian and Salt, Lister was a pioneer in his field, his efforts were Chinese empires and long been liked for its believed prolific registering more than 150 patents in his career. medicinal qualities. However it was not produced in its He improved various pieces of textile machinery recognisable modern form until Dunhill mixed it with and spent years and a vast sum of money adapting sugar to produce sweets known now as the world silk waste. His business successes made him very famous Pontefract cakes. wealthy, especially his work developing the Lister nip comb which improved the weaving process. His mill still dominates the Bradford skyline. He is perhaps Antonio Fattorini best known locally for the development of Lister Park (1797-1859) in Manningham and the building of Cartwright Hall Art Switzerland Gallery which he gifted to the people of Bradford. Fattorini was a highly skilled jeweller and clock maker who was held in high regard. An Italian immigrant, Sir Charles William Sikes together with his family he set up a number of (1818-1889) successful businesses, firstly in Leeds Market and Huddersfield later a much larger business in Bradford. The work of his business remains highly sought after and includes Originator of the Post Office Savings Bank in 1854, the FA Cup and Rugby League Challenge Cup trophies he encouraged savings amongst the working classes still in use today. The FA Cup is particularly special to with pamphlet Good Times or the Savings Bank and Bradford as the city’s football team won it the same the Fireside. year it was made in the city, 1911. Christopher Pratt Jacob Unna (1819-1891) (1800-1881) Gunnerside, Swaledale Hamburg Craftsman and businessman who built a furniture Businessman and Industrialist. Although born empire held in high regard. From humble beginnings in Hamburg of German Jewish descent, Unna in the Swaledale valleys Christopher Pratt served as moved to Yorkshire in the late 1840s and became an apprentice cabinet maker before beginning his own a leading figure in the city. His efforts were crucial business. Selling his creations and those of his sons in establishing the town’s worsted trade. He was brought reputation, but the decision to sell the works also co-founder of Bradford District Bank, Bradford of others alongside made their fortune. During World Chamber of Commerce and the Eye and Ear Hospital. War One the company contributed immensely to the city’s war effort by transforming their entire factory to produce aeroplanes for the forces. Henry Francis Lockwood & William Mawson (1811-1878/1827-1889) Bradford Henry Isaac Rowntree (1837-1883) Lockwood and Mawson are amongst Bradford’s most York famous architects. Both Yorkshiremen, the pair met and formed the firm that would make them famous Businessman, Chocolatier. Brother of Joseph in 1849. They were a prolific pairing and designed Rowntree. Founder of Rowntree’s one of the UK’s some of the most distinguished buildings in Bradford largest confectionery businesses, now a historic including St. Georges Hall, The Wool Exchange, City brand owned by Nestlé, used to market a range Hall, and the village of Saltaire amongst others. Their of confectionery formerly owned by Rowntree’s. work can be seen all around us today. including Kit Kat, Smarties, Aero and Black Magic, Fruit Pastilles and Fruit Gums. Hidden Schools Tour: Impressions Gallery Hidden People of Yorkshire: Philanthropists, Businesspeople & Industrialists Theodore Cooke Taylor Club between 1949 and 1962 and later serving as an (1850-1952) MP and Lord Mayor of London. His achievements led Batley him to being given the freedom of his home town. In 1957 he bought and donated the stately home Cliffe Liberal politician and businessman. He is best known Castle in Keighley to the people as a public museum. for pioneering profit-sharing as a concept and for leading a movement against the opium trade. Taylor also stands as the longest-lived member of the British John Mackintosh Parliament, living to age 102. (1891-1964) Halifax Alfred Angas Scott Businessman, public servant and benefactor, (1875-1923) confectionist, ‘the king of all toffees’. Mackintosh is Manningham most well known as a toffee manufacturer but his company also produced some of our most well known Motorcycle designer, inventor and the founder of confectionary; Rolos, Quality Street, Caramac and the Scott Motorcycle Company. A prolific inventor Toffee Crisp were all the brainchild of Mackintosh with over 50 patents for engines and components whose company went on to merge with Rowntree’s registered to his name. His company operated out of York and later purchased by Nestlé. of Saltaire and was passed on through the family. It’s racing success, particularly in the now notorious Isle of Man TT, and the easy user maintenance of Scott Jonathan Silver Motorcycles made them a cult classic. (1949-1997) Bradford Robert Thompson Widely regarded as Bradford’s most successful private (1876-1955) sector regenerator Silver had a number of successful Kilburn businesses as a tailor and art and antiques dealer. He is best remembered for his role in first converting Furniture maker, sculptor. Thompson was a quietly the Dean Clough Mill into an commercial and cultural successful furniture maker who made his name for his space but more famously for repeating the feat to highly skilled carving and specialism in using Yorkshire transform Salts Mill in Saltaire. The site has the largest Oak. He always carved a mouse on his furniture giving collection of David Hockney’s artworks in the world. him the nickname ‘the mouseman of Kilburn’. His pieces are highly prized to this day. Omar Khan Bradford Benjamin and William Jowett Restaurateur, owner of Bradford Bulls Rugby Club. (1877-1963/1880-1955) Omar Khan is an entrepreneur best known for the Jowett cars was founded in 1901 and quickly became Indian restaurant chain that bears his name. He began an affordable and respected car manufacturer. The the restaurant in 1984 where he built his reputation company also made successful commercial vehicles from scratch starting as chef in his own kitchen. that were commonplace on the streets of major cities As well as owning the Bulls, Khan has contributed in the 20th Century. The brothers were both engineers greatly to his home city through his charity work. and spent many years developing prototypes which He supports OK In The Community which provides went on to inform design in the industry as a whole. housing and supports people with learning disabilities and mental health issues.