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Joseph Rowntree (24 May 1836 - 24 February 1925), the 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 grew from 30 to over 4,000 employees by the end of the 19th century. It was taken over by Nestlé in 1988.
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.
In 1901 he bought 150 acres (607,000 m²) at New Earswick, to the north of York, to build houses for low-income families.
The four Rowntree trusts bear Joseph Rowntree's name and continue his philanthropic work.
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