Thomas Lipton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Thomas Lipton
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Lipton in 1909
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| Born |
Thomas Johnstone Lipton
10 May 1848 |
| Died | 2 October 1931 (aged 83) Osidge, East Barnet, England
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| Occupation | Merchant, company founder, yachtsman |
| Known for | Founder of Lipton |
Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton (born May 10, 1848 – died October 2, 1931) was a famous Scottish businessman. He started the well-known Lipton Tea company. Thomas Lipton was a "self-made man," meaning he became successful through his own hard work. He was also a kind person who gave a lot to charity. Besides his business, he loved yachting and tried many times to win the famous America's Cup race.
He was known for his clever advertising. He believed his success came from selling good products at low prices, using smart advertising, and always staying positive.
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Early Life and Family
Thomas Lipton was born in Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland, on May 10, 1848. His parents, Thomas Lipton senior and Frances Lipton, came from Ireland. They had to leave their home because of the Great Famine in the 1840s. They moved to Glasgow in 1847, hoping for a better life.
Young Thomas was the youngest of five children, but his older brothers and sister sadly died when they were babies. Thomas went to St Andrew's Parish School in Glasgow. When he was 13, he left school to help his parents earn money. They owned a small shop in Glasgow where they sold ham, butter, and eggs. Thomas worked as an errand boy and later as a shirtcutter. He also went to night school to keep learning.
Building a Business Empire
In 1864, Thomas Lipton became a cabin boy on a ship that sailed between Glasgow and Belfast. He loved being on the ship and hearing stories from sailors who had visited the United States. After saving his wages, Lipton bought a ticket to the U.S. He spent five years there, working many different jobs across the country. He worked on a tobacco farm, a rice farm, as a salesman, a farmhand, and finally as a grocery assistant in New York.
He came back to Glasgow in 1870 and helped his parents in their shop. In 1871, he opened his very first grocery store, Lipton's Market, in Glasgow. His store was very successful, and soon he had a chain of grocery stores all over Scotland and then across Britain. At this time, tea was becoming cheaper, and more people wanted to buy it.
In 1888, when he had 300 stores, Lipton decided to get into the tea business. He wanted to sell tea directly to people at very low prices, especially to working-class families who couldn't afford expensive tea. To do this, he bought his own tea gardens. This is how he created the famous Lipton tea brand, which is still popular today.
In 1890, Lipton visited British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He made deals with James Taylor, who had started tea gardens there. Lipton's company bought Ceylon tea and began selling it in Europe and the USA. He was also very generous. In 1897, he gave £20,000 to provide dinners for many poor people in London during Queen Victoria's special celebration.
A Passion for Sports
Thomas Lipton loved sports, especially yachting. He was friends with King Edward VII and King George V, who also enjoyed sailing. Between 1899 and 1930, he tried five times to win the America's Cup, a famous yacht race, with his yachts named Shamrock. Even though he never won, his efforts made his tea brand very famous in the United States. He was even given a special cup for being "the best of all losers." In 1993, he was added to the America's Cup Hall of Fame.
Lipton also supported other sports. Before the first Football World Cup in 1930, he donated the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy and The Lipton Challenge Cup in Italy. He also gave the Copa Lipton trophy for football matches between Argentina and Uruguay from 1905 to 1992. In 1914, he gave the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup to promote rowing in Canada and the United States.
Later Life and Legacy
Thomas Lipton lived in a home called Osidge in Southgate, London. He loved his home and had fast carriage horses. He was driven to his offices every day.
During the First World War, Lipton helped medical groups. He offered his yachts to organizations like the Red Cross to transport doctors, nurses, and medical supplies. He even visited Serbia during a difficult time to encourage medical staff and soldiers. He was very humble and popular among the people there. He was made an honorary citizen of the city of Niš.
For his good deeds and success, King Edward VII made him a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1901. In 1902, he became a Baronet. A picture of Lipton was even on the cover of Time magazine in 1924.
Death and Burial
Sir Thomas Lipton died at his home, Osidge, on October 2, 1931. He left most of his money and his yachting trophies to his hometown of Glasgow. His trophies are now on display at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Thomas Lipton was buried next to his parents and siblings in Glasgow's Southern Necropolis. He did not have any children, so his special title ended with him.
See also
In Spanish: Thomas Lipton para niños
- Copa Lipton
- Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy
- James Taylor (Ceylon)
- Ceylon tea
