William Colgate

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William Colgate (born January 15, 1783 in Hollingbourn , Kent , † March 25, 1857 in New York City ) was an American entrepreneur born in England . He founded Colgate & Company in 1806 and made perfumed soap .

Life

Colgate was the son of Robert Colgate (1758-1826) and Sarah Bowles († 1840). The father was a farmer and sympathizer of the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution . Because of his beliefs, he left the Shoreham, Kent farm in March 1798 and emigrated with his family to Baltimore . There he ran a farm in Harford County, Maryland .

William Colgate first worked as a candle maker in New York City . In 1806 he went into business for himself with the production and sale of candles , soap and laundry starch . After years of financial difficulties, the company had its breakthrough in the 1820s.

Colgate was a Baptist deacon and in 1808 united the Baptist churches in New York City. He was soon recognized as one of the city's leading Christians. Colgate was a board member of the American Bible Society , but left due to religious differences a few years later to found the American And Foreign Bible Society .

In 1850 Colgate and twelve other men founded the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York , which was later renamed Colgate University in his honor, according to the motto 13 Dollars, 13 Prayers, and 13 Articles .

Samuel Colgate (1822–1898), one of his two sons, succeeded him as President of Colgate & Company. Colgate's grandson Gilbert Colgate won the bronze medal in bobsleigh at the 1936 Winter Olympics .

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personal data
SURNAME Colgate, William
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American entrepreneur
DATE OF BIRTH January 15, 1783
PLACE OF BIRTH Hollingbourn , Kent
DATE OF DEATH March 25, 1857
Place of death New York City