Bird, Alfred |
| FOOD MANUFACTURER, CHEMIST (ENGLAND) |
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BORN 1811, Nympsfield, Gloucestershire - DIED 15 Dec 1878, Kings Norton, Worcestershire GRAVE LOCATION Birmingham, West Midlands: Key Hill Cemetery, Icknield Street, Hockley (plot 164.H) |
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Alfred Bird was the son of a father who lectured astronomy at Eton. He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham. He had invented egg free custard in 1837, mainly because his wife Elizabeth, who sufferd from egg and yeast allergies. Only after his guests were served with his custard he realised that it could be used commercially. Bird's Custard became a well known brand. He started as qualified pharmacist in Birmingham and opened a chemist's shop in Bell Street. His company Alfred Bird & Sons was established in 1843 for mass production of his custard that was produced at a location in Worcester Street. He invented furter food products like baking power (in 1843) which enabled him to make yeast-free bread for Elizabeth. In 1855 he was contracted to supply baking powder to the British Troops during the Crimean War. Bird was a fellow of the Chemical Society. After his death in 1878 his son Alfred Frederick Bird (1849-1922) continued his business and invented egg substitute powder (in 1890), blancmange powder and jelly power. |
| Images | |
 The grave of Alfred Bird at Key Hill Cemetery, Birmingham. Picture by Androom (18 May 2017) |
 The grave of Alfred Bird at Key Hill Cemetery, Birmingham. Picture by Androom (18 May 2017) |
Sources • Alfred Bird - Wikipedia (EN) |
