Oscar Rowntree

Oscar was the youngest of Joseph’s sons and was a director of Rowntree & Co from 1905. He was active in the Liberal Party for many years, including a period as chairman of the York and Thirsk division of the Liberal Association. Oscar served as a councillor for Castlegate ward in York from 1905, taking a strong interest in social affairs and became an alderman in 1920 and Lord Mayor in 1926/27. Like his brothers he was actively involved with the three Rowntree trusts and, like his father, he was a member of the Committee of Friends of the Retreat. He was a member of the Health and Housing Reform Association set up to spread knowledge about health and sanitation in York and so improve health conditions in homes. He also farmed extensively at Brandsby near York in addition to his roles in the family business and in civic life.

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