Edward Packard (businessman)
Sir Edward Packard (28 September 1843 – 11 April 1932) was an English businessman. He developed Packard and James Fison (Thetford) Limited ('Fisons') into one of the largest fertiliser manufacturing businesses in the United Kingdom.
Early life
Edward Packard was born at Saxmundham in Suffolk, the son of Edward Packard.[1] He was educated at King's College, London and the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester.[2]
Career
Packard joined his father in business as a dispensing chemist at Bramford in 1866.[2] In 1872 he patented a new type of highly concentrated superphosphate.[2] He went on to develop Edward Packard & Co. as a leading fertiliser manufacturer.[2]
Packard was influential in attempts to rationalise the fertiliser industry in the 1880s, and in attempts to impose higher quality standards.[2]
In 1919 Packard oversaw negotiations leading to the merger of his business with James Fison (Thetford) Ltd ultimately leading to the formation of Packard and James Fison (Thetford) Ltd ('Fisons') of which he became Chairman.[2]
Packard was knighted in 1922 and died at his home in Bramford in 1932.[2]
Personal
In 1867 Packard married Ellen Turner, the daughter of Walton Turner. In 1871 they had a daughter, Edith Celia Packard (Mrs Alfred Farrar). She died in 1962.[3]
Packard founded the Ipswich Arts Society in 1874.[4]
Packard served as a High Steward of Ipswich, Chairman of the Harwich Harbour Board; President of the SFK Chamber of Agriculture, Chairman of the Ipswich Museum & Free Library Committee, and Chairman of the Ipswich School of Arts.[5]