Michael Rowntree

Michael Rowntree, great-nephew of Joseph, had a lifelong love of natural history and the environment, especially birding – interests he shared with his great-uncle. He led a full life of public service despite his unassuming character, sharing the Quaker faith and principles of Joseph and other Rowntree family members. During World War Two he was a conscientious objector (pacifist principles meant that Quakers did not fight) and served in the Friends Ambulance Unit in Finland, the Middle East and Germany. After the war his first career was in newspapers and in the 1950s he became general manager of the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times. Michael held a number of senior roles in Oxfam, including that of Chairman from 1971 to 1977, and was a Trustee of both the JRCT and JRSST. He was also an advocate for the National Health Service serving on both Oxford Hospitals and Scarborough Health Authority’s governing bodies.