This is the story of 10 remarkable Victorian industrialists who came
from relatively humble origins and rose through hard work, inventiveness
and application to become among the richest and most influential men of
their generation. The businesses they created are for the most part
still thriving today and include such household names as Cadburys,
Rowntrees, Colmans, Boots, Huntley & Palmers and Unilever. Deeply imbued
with the values of Victorian Liberalism and of Nonconformity, they
showed an active and practical concern for their employees, providing
them with housing, health care, education, recreation and entertainment.
They also founded charitable trusts such as The Old Vic Theatre and
Royal Holloway College, and model communities such as Saltaire.