Today’s mass market in chocolate is the culmination of a business developed in the nineteenth century by three English pioneers: John Cadbury, Joseph Fry and Henry Rowntree. In addition to their work, what did all three men have in common?
A) They had undertaken military service in Africa B) They had all been servants of the Duke of Kent C) They personally disliked chocolate D) They were Quakers ü
Until the nineteenth century, Quakers in England were barred both from holding public office, and even from attending university. They were thus excluded from the professions, science and politics. With a military career also not an option, enterprising Quakers turned to business and often excelled. The chocolate industry today, of course, has consolidated. Fry and Cadbury merged in 1919, and are now a component of Cadbury-Schweppes. Rowntree was absorbed by Nestlé in 1985.
