Edward Cadbury facts for kids

Edward Cadbury (born 1873, died 1948) was an important British businessman. He was the chairman of Cadbury Brothers, the famous chocolate company. He was also known for his ideas about how to manage businesses and help workers. Edward was a kind person who gave money to good causes, making him a philanthropist.

About Edward Cadbury

Edward Cadbury was the oldest son of George Cadbury. His mother was Mary Tylor. He grew up near Birmingham, England. The house he lived in is now a study center called Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre. Around 1890, he studied in London and Germany.

His Work at Cadbury

Edward joined the family business, Cadbury Brothers, in 1893. He became a managing director in 1899. Later, in 1937, he became the chairman. He retired from the company in 1943.

Edward also led another company. He was the chairman of the Daily News Ltd from 1911 to 1930.

Helping Education

Edward Cadbury helped start the Selly Oak Colleges. These colleges later joined with the University of Birmingham. Edward was the first chairman and treasurer of the Council for Selly Oak Colleges.

His Ideas on Management

Edward Cadbury was very interested in how businesses work. He studied "economics, management and organisations." This included looking at how workers were treated. He also focused on the rights of women in the workplace.

He had different ideas from another famous thinker, Frederick Taylor. Taylor believed in "scientific management." This meant breaking down jobs into very small steps. Taylor thought managers should control every part of a worker's job.

Edward Cadbury disagreed with this. He thought Taylor's ideas took away skills from workers. He believed workers should have their own ideas and initiative. Edward wrote about his views in an essay in 1914. It was called "Some Principles of Industrial Organisation." In it, he discussed the good and bad points of scientific management.