Henry Birks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Birks
|
|
|---|---|
Henry Birks in 1866
|
|
| Born | 30 November 1840 |
| Died | 16 April 1928 Montreal, Quebec
|
| Resting place | Mount Royal Cemetery |
| Occupation | Jeweller, Businessperson |
| Known for | Founder of Henry Birks and Sons, a chain of jewellery stores in Canada |
Henry Birks (born November 30, 1840 – died April 16, 1928) was a smart Canadian businessman. He founded Henry Birks and Sons, a famous chain of high-quality jewelry stores across Canada.
Contents
Who Was Henry Birks?
Henry Birks was born in Montreal in 1840. His parents had moved to Canada from Yorkshire, England in 1832. His father, John Birks, was a pharmacist. Henry went to the High School of Montreal where he studied business. These studies helped him prepare for his future career.
Starting in the Jewelry Business
In 1857, when Henry was 17, he started working as a clerk. He joined a company called Savage and Lyman in Montreal. This company was known as the best jeweller and watchmaker in Canada at that time. Henry worked hard and became a partner in the company in 1868. However, Savage and Lyman later faced money problems. Because of this, Henry decided to leave the company in 1877.
Building His Own Company
In 1879, Henry Birks decided to open his own jewelry shop. He invested C$3,000, which was a lot of money back then. His small shop was located on Saint Jacques Street in Montreal. This area was the main financial and business center of the city.
In 1893, Henry brought his three sons, William, John, and Gerald, into the business. The company's name then changed to Henry Birks and Sons. As Montreal's main shopping area moved north, the Birks store also moved. In 1894, they opened a new store on Phillips Square. The company still has a store and its main offices there today.
Growing Across Canada
Starting in 1901, Henry Birks began to expand his company. He opened new stores in many of Canada's biggest cities. This helped Henry Birks and Sons become a well-known name across the country.
His Lasting Impact
Henry Birks was a great example for many Canadian business leaders in the 1800s. He learned about business in school and then used his skills in a successful company. When he had the chance, he started his own business. This company grew and became a large business empire across Canada.
The Birks family has been involved in the company for five generations since it started in 1879. One of Henry's sons, Gerald Birks, had an important idea during World War I. He suggested an education system for Canadian soldiers called the Khaki University. This idea was put into action for all soldiers in 1917.
The William and Henry Birks Building at McGill University in Montreal is named after Henry Birks and one of his sons. It is a beautiful building on University Street.
Images for kids
-
Detail of Henri Birks' funeral monument in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal.
