Joseph Rowntree: 1836 – 1925

Philanthropist; progressive employer; radical thinker; social innovator: “he loved to do good by stealth”

Images: From originals held at The Borthwick Institute for Archives.

The Rowntree Legacy: Quaker faith

The Rowntrees’ Quaker faith emphasised quiet service, public responsibility, civic pride, pragmatism and trustworthiness. Rowntrees played a leading role in shaping the character of York Quakerism, which developed a liberal reforming strand within the national tradition. Their faith also inspired their philanthropic and civic activities both in York and beyond inspiring them to undertake useful work and to strive to improve the lot of their fellow men and women.

The Rowntree Legacy: Joseph’s Family and Descendants

Joseph was a family man and did his best to instill into his children and from them to their grandchildren the key principles of his Quaker faith and his belief in doing good to others. A key part of his legacy is the impact that his descendants have had both in York and much further afield – in the Society of Friends; in the Rowntree Trusts; in the Rowntree company; in civic life and politics and in their contribution to a wide range of charitable and philanthropic activities. Some of these family members have appeared in this campaign and it is their – and Joseph’s legacy – which continues to provide inspiration today.

Image: From originals held at The Borthwick Institute for Archives.

Joseph’s Letter to his Children

In May 1916, looking towards his 80th birthday, Joseph wrote a letter to his surviving children in which he expressed “his thankfulness for the many blessings with which I have been surrounded during life, for the happiness of my home life and unbroken love of all my children”. He stressed the importance of the family unit and the direction it provides, hoping that his six groups of grandchildren will benefit from their parents’ values and guidance “that far beyond success in study, or wealth, or the good opinion of the world, or distinction in any career, you desire that they may be good and true men and women, honourable and unselfish.” Joseph took much pride in his belief that the homes created by his children had encouraged both they and their children “to shun the danger of self centred lives, and to be ready to labour for the welfare of others.”

Image: From originals held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.

Joseph Stephenson Rowntree

Joseph Stephenson – known as Stephen – was the third of Joseph and Antoinette’s sons. He spent his working life at Rowntree and Co. but was also involved in Quaker committees and Liberal politics. He was the first member of the family to go to Cambridge University. Quakers had been debarred from entering the older universities mainly due to their non-conformism and this restriction had only recently been lifted. He was known as a good committee man and, most notably, he was on the Northern Friends Peace Board and the Yorkshire Friends’ Service Committee, the last of which was set up to pursue the ideas of John Wilhelm after his death. Both of these committees still exist although the latter is now the Outreach Projects Committee of Quakers in Yorkshire. Stephen was active in local politics and was mayor of Harrogate from 1911 to 1913.

Image: From originals held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.

Joseph’s Love of Travel

Joseph’s first real holiday was spent in France and Switzerland shortly after his first wife, Julia’s, death and he visited Switzerland regularly after that. Most years Joseph went on holiday abroad and took one of his children with him. He also enjoyed visiting different places in his own country. Travelling was one of his only luxuries in life. “Money spent on travel is never wasted”, he said. Joseph had a European outlook, probably influenced by German family roots, and Quaker attitudes to travel. Quakers were encouraged to make and maintain links with Friends in other countries. Discovering new and different places also appealed to Joseph’s questioning personality and his desire to continually educate himself.

Image: From originals held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.

Jean’s insight on her grandfather

“When I was a child I used to write him an annual nature diary, which he would later discuss with me. Looking back on those discussions, I see that he had an almost Wordsworthian feeling for the countryside, the sea, and all open places, and of course for his own garden and all the things that grew and lived there. He had an endless curiousity about plants. When he was in the South of France, he trespassed confidently into any garden that took his fancy, and once, when he was accosted by the owner, handed him a card and said ‘come and trespass in mine’.” Jean Rowntree (Joseph’s granddaughter) 1973.

Image: From originals held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.

Scarborough

Joseph was very fond of Scarborough. His Saturday walk there was part of his routine for many years once he allowed himself a little more leisure time and took the whole day off. His routine never varied. He caught the 10 o’clock train to Scarborough; had a cup of coffee at the cafe owned by his cousin; bought apples and ginger biscuits for his lunch and walked until four; returning home via the cafe and the train. He often had a companion, his brother John or an Adult School pupil in the early days. Over time his policy was to ask a younger staff member to accompany him. This must have been a daunting prospect and some workers declined the invitation but, by all accounts, Joseph had an engaging personality and never lacked subjects for conversation.

Image: From originals held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.

Clifton Lodge

Clifton Lodge House was built in 1852 and is where Joseph lived for the last years of his life from 1905 to 1925 and where he died. He built the adjoining house – Rawcliffe Holt – in 1907 for his daughter, Winifred, and her husband, Arthur Duncan Naish. After Joseph’s death both properties were left to the Rowntree trusts. Clifton Lodge was sold into private hands in 2011.

Image: From originals held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.

Winifred Rowntree

Winifred was Joseph’s youngest daughter – born in 1884. She shared her father’s passion for education and supporting those who were less fortunate. In 1902 she established the Honesty Girls Club to provide entertainment and education for girls of a similar age to herself. Initially the club met in the local adult school and consisted of 24 girls. This number rose to 116 members by 1913. The Honesty Girls Club emphasised education; maintaining a library and organising evening classes that covered various topics from singing and copperwork to English literature and gardening. Driven by kindness and honesty the club actively engaged in community events. Winifred continued to oversee the club until her early death in 1915.

Image: From originals held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.