Because they were not members of the Church of England, Quakers were not admitted to the professions, nor could they attend universities. Many turned to trade as a means of earning a living.

Their strictly honest approach to business meant that non-Quakers were more than happy to trade with them. Consequently, many became very successful businessmen. Among these were the Fry, Cadbury and Rowntree families. Another Quaker, Abraham Darby, who was an ironfounder, started the industrial revolution at Coalbrookdale.

Quaker concern for the welfare of mankind made them foremost in the anti-slavery movement and prison reform, as well as showing concern for the welfare of their own workers. Many offered subsidised housing, sick pay and pensions, long before any state schemes.

Fry’s Chandos estate at Somerdale, Keynsham and Cadbury’s Bourneville estate in Birmingham are examples of Quaker housing schemes.