George Palmer (businessman)

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George Palmer (18 January 1818^[1]–1897) was a proprietor of the Huntley & Palmers biscuit manufacturers of Reading in England. He was born in Long Sutton in Somerset.^[2] He first became a partner in the firm 1841, when Joseph Huntley, the founder of the business, was forced to retire through ill-health and it became apparent that Thomas Huntley, his son, did not have his fathers good sense of business.^[3]

Whilst it was Joseph Huntley's innovation in the introduction of the biscuit tin and in the sale of biscuits to stage coach travellers that created the business, George Palmer is generally credited with making it a major Victorian success by using industrial manufacturing techniques and by using the railways for distribution.

When Thomas Huntley died, in 1857, George Palmer was joined in the business by two brothers, William Isaac Palmer and Samuel Palmer. He was later joined by his son, George William Palmer.

In addition to his business career, George Palmer served as mayor of Reading and represented the town in parliament. He served as Liberal Member of Parliament for the Parliamentary Borough of Reading from 1878 until 1885.

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