The life, letters and legacy of Noel Terry Stan Young

Event details

Sheldon Memorial Lecture

While the popularity of the ‘Chocolate Orange’ has made Terry’s a famous name, it is not widely known that the firm’s origins go back to a York apothecary business opened in 1767.

Here, Noel Terry’s great-grandfather started his career before setting up independently as a purveyor of lozenges, citrus fruit, licorice, and boiled sweets. His company went on to create a high-class catering business and a much loved restaurant, eventually manufacturing quality chocolate which became a national brand exported across the world. This was the inheritance of Noel Terry (1889-1980) when in 1911 he began working for the family firm, of which he was eventually to become Chairman, retiring in 1970.

Meanwhile he had fought and was injured in the First World War, oversaw a huge expansion of the company, built an Arts and Crafts house, and played an important part in the civic life of York. In this talk, Stan Young will explore the career of a leader in local industry, and the significance and legacy of the Terry family.