Gerard Philips

Gerard Leonardo Frederik Philips (9 October 1858 – 26 January 1942) was a Dutch industrialist, co-founder (with his father Frederik Philips) of the Philips Company as a family business in 1891. Gerard and his younger brother Anton Philips changed the business to a corporation by founding in 1912 the NV Philips' Gloeilampenfabrieken. As the first CEO of the Philips corporation, Gerard laid with Anton the base for the later Philips multinational.

Life and career

Born to a Dutch Jewish family, Gerard Philips became interested in electronics and engineering. Frederik was the financier for Gerard's purchase of the old factory building in Eindhoven where he established the first factory in 1891. They operated the Philips Company as a family business for more than a decade.

Marriage and family

On 19 March 1896 Philips married Johanna van der Willigen (30 September 1862 – 1942). They had no children.

Gerard's father was a first cousin of Karl Marx (his paternal aunt was Marx's mother).^[1] Gerard was an uncle of Frits Philips, whom he and his brother brought into the business. Later they brought in his brother's son-in-law, Frans Otten.

Civic activities

Gerard and his brother Anton supported education and social programs in Eindhoven, including the Philips Sport Vereniging (Philips Sports Association), which they founded. From it the professional football (soccer) department developed into the independent Philips Sport Vereniging N.V.

References

External links

• Biography of Gerard Philips (in Dutch)
• Portrait of Gerard Philips / Eindhoven