Robert Cain (brewer) facts for kids
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Robert Cain (1826–1907) was a famous brewer who started the company Robert Cain and Sons in Liverpool, England. He became one of the richest men in Britain and built some amazing pubs. His story shows how someone from a poor background could become very successful.
Early Life and Family
Robert Cain was born on April 29, 1826, on Spike Island, County Cork, Ireland. His father, James Cain, was a soldier in the British Army. When Robert was very young, his family moved to Liverpool, England, around 1827 or 1828. They lived in a poor area of the city called Islington.
Robert grew up with his older sister Hannah and two younger siblings, Mary and William. When he was a teenager, he started working as a cooper. This meant he learned how to make and repair wooden barrels, which were very important for storing liquids like beer. He worked on a ship that carried palm oil from West Africa.
Starting a Business
After finishing his training, Robert Cain returned to Liverpool in 1844. He first worked as a cooper, but soon he decided to become a brewer. Around 1848, he began making beer on Limekiln Lane.
Robert married Ann Newall on April 4, 1847. She was the daughter of a shoemaker. As his brewing business grew, Robert moved to bigger locations. In 1858, he moved his main brewery to Stanhope Street in Liverpool. This brewery is now known as the Robert Cain Brewery or Cains Brewery.
Robert was also smart with money. He bought properties and even ran a hotel near his brewery. His company grew by buying smaller breweries and their pubs. This helped him control more places where his beer could be sold.
A Successful Businessman
Robert Cain became one of Liverpool's most successful businessmen. He loved using the newest machines and methods to make his brewery better. He expanded the brewery many times, especially in 1887 and between 1900 and 1902. During these expansions, the famous red-brick part of the brewery was built.
By the time Robert Cain passed away on July 19, 1907, he was one of the wealthiest people in Britain. He left behind a huge amount of money, showing how successful he had become. He also had a lot of influence in politics, helping the Conservative Party stay in power in Liverpool. People in the area where he lived, Toxteth Park, even called him "King of the Toxteths" because he was so important. Many people attended his funeral, showing how respected he was.
His company, Robert Cain and Sons, owned more than 200 pubs in Liverpool. Three of these pubs are especially famous for their beautiful and fancy designs: The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, The Vines, and The Central. These pubs were built to show off Robert Cain's success and the amazing skills of Liverpool's builders. They are still important buildings in Liverpool today.
Rising in Society
Robert Cain's life is a great example of how people could move up in society during the Victorian and early 1900s in Britain. Even though he started poor and came from an Irish immigrant family, he became very rich and respected.
From the 1860s, the Cain family lived in fancy areas like Grassendale Park. They later owned large houses on Aigburth Road and in Hoylake on the Wirral. Robert and Ann Cain had 11 children, including five sons and six daughters.
Two of his sons became very important figures in British society. William Cain became a baronet, which is a special title. Charles Cain, later known as Charles Nall-Cain, became the first Baron Brocket in 1933, joining the House of Lords. Both sons were known for being generous and giving money to good causes.
