User:Pablo X/James Reckitt

Sir James Reckitt (1833–1924), 1st Baronet Reckitt, was a businessman, politician and philanthropist. He was the youngest son of Isaac Reckitt.

Reckitt was born in Nottingham and educated at Ackworth School. At the age of 15 he joined the family firm, Reckitt & Sons, and worked as a clerk, later working as a travelling salesman. Isaac died in 1862, and James and his two older brothers subsequently ran Reckitt & Sons as a partnership.

Isaac Reckitt died in 1862, and left his business to his three sons. James Reckitt and his brother Francis alternated as chairmen between 1879 and 1917, with James as sole chairman from then until his death.

Outline biography

He was born in Nottingham, and worked for his father's Hull-based business, which was chiefly the manufacture and sale of starch and blue.

Company history of Reckitt and Colman

Garden Village, 1908