Benjamin Bowring

Benjamin Bowring (May 17, 1778 – June 1, 1846) was an English watchmaker, jeweller, and businessman. He was the founder, in 1811, of the Bowring trading, shipping and insurance businesses, later known as Bowring Brothers in Canada and the United States, and C.T. Bowring & Co. in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

Biography

Early life

Benjamin Bowring was born in Exeter to Nathaniel and Susannah Bowring. He came from a family that had been involved for over two centuries in the woollen industry. His first cousin, John Bowring, was the 4th Governor of Hong Kong. His father died when he was three years old, and his mother then moved the family to her hometown of Moretonhampstead, where Benjamin spent his formative years. After his education was completed, he apprenticed to watchmaker Charles Price, whose daughter Charlotte he later married. On October 6, 1803, three days before his marriage, he opened his own watch-making shop in Exeter.

Career

Looking for new opportunities for his trade, in 1811 Bowring visited Newfoundland, and made several trips there during the next few years. He became one of the port's permanent residents in 1815, and the following spring his wife and family joined him. His wife opened a small dry goods store attached to his watch-making shop. Her business venture proved successful and Bowring decided to abandon watch-making to concentrate on what was a growing retail trade. In 1823 he purchased two schooners to transport goods from England and return with Newfoundland cod and seal products. He renamed his firm Benjamin Bowring and Son the following year when his eldest son, William, became a partner. William drowned four years later.

In 1833, he provided for a compulsory fire brigade in St. John's. This new attempt at fire protection proved no help when Bowring's premises and much of the south side of Water Street were burnt on July 7, 1833.

The following year he gave control of the firm to his son, Charles Tricks Bowring, and, with the rest of his family, returned to England. In 1835 he set up a trading company, known as Benjamin Bowring, in Liverpool. Bowring remained in regular contact with his son, offering advice and examining the accounts of the firm. The company underwent substantial expansion during the 1830s and it entered the front ranks of the Water Street mercantile establishments. In 1839 the name of the latter firm was changed to Bowring Brothers when Charles' brother Henry became his partner. Two years later they were joined by a third brother, Edward.

Later life and death

He turned over control of the Liverpool operation in 1841 to Charles. Under Charles the Liverpool firm, renamed C.T. Bowring and Company, became a major international shipping and insurance business, while Bowring Brothers became one of the leading firms in the cod and seal fisheries and in the provision of foodstuffs and manufactured goods to Newfoundlanders.

He died on June 1, 1846 in Liverpool. After his death, the company expanded its insurance business and obtained substanctial interests in metals, coffee, fertilizers, foodstuff, petroleum products, chemicals, and many other commodities. Today Bowring Brothers is a successful chain of upscale gift stores with more than sixty locations across Canada, and also runs a smaller chain of home furnishings outlets. In 1979, the MV Benjamin Bowring was named after him. C.T. Bowring and Co. was bought by Marsh & McLennan Companies in 1980.

References

• Baker, Melvin (1988). "Benjamin Bowring". Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. VII. ISBN 0-8020-3452-7. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
• Wardle, Arthur C. (1938). Benjamin Bowring and his descendants. Hodder & Stoughton.
• Kearney, Mark (2002). I know that name!. Dundurn Press. ISBN 1-5500-2407-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Keir, David (1963). The Bowring Story. Bodley Head.