Peter Charles Larkin

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Peter Charles Larkin, PC (May 14, 1855 – February 3, 1930) was a Canadian businessman, diplomat and political patron.[1]

Peter C. Larkin
Larkin in London during the
1926 Imperial Conference
Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
In office
1922–1930
Prime MinisterW.L. Mackenzie King
Arthur Meighen
Preceded bySir George Perley
Succeeded byLucien Pacaud (acting)
Personal details
Born
Peter Charles Larkin

(1855-05-14)May 14, 1855
Montreal, Canada East
DiedFebruary 3, 1930(1930-02-03) (aged 74)
London, England
SpouseHannah Jean Ross
Children2
OccupationBusinessman
Known forSalada Tea Company

Business career

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Larkin, a world traveller who specialized in finding foodstuffs for import, was best known for founding the Salada Tea Company in 1892. Larkin introduced the concept of packaging tea in foil to maintain quality. Previously, tea had been sold in loose form.[2] This innovation proved popular and soon became the industry standard, helping to establish Salada as a leading seller of tea in Canada and the northeastern U.S., with factories in Toronto, Montreal and Boston.

Political influence

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Larkin was a close friend of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King. He was one of several wealthy supporters of the Liberal Party of Canada who contributed furniture, china and silver to Laurier House, the residence of Mackenzie King. In the late 1920s, Larkin raised $250,000 for Mackenzie King in order to give him financial security.

As Prime Minister of Canada, Mackenzie King appointed Larkin as Canadian high commissioner to the United Kingdom, a position he held until his death. Larkin was the driving force behind Canada's acquisition of the building later known as Canada House in London to house the Canadian high commission.

Personal life and death

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On June 27, 1883, Larkin married Hannah Jean Ross in Cobourg, Ontario. They had one daughter and one son, Gerald Ross Larkin (1885–1961). The latter managed the Salada Tea Company from the 1920s until he retired in 1957.[3]

On February 3, 1930, Larkin died at the age of 74 in London, England.

References

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  1. ^ Peter Charles Larkin biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography online.
  2. ^ "SALADA - Green Tea". Archived from the original on 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2006-02-17.
  3. ^ Gerald Larkin, Chancellors' Circle of Benefactors.
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Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Canadian High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom

1922–1930
Succeeded by
Lucien Turcotte Pacaud
(acting)