What is samuel van den bergh?

Samuel van den Bergh (1864-1941) was a Dutch businessman and founder of the margarine company, Van den Bergh. He was born in Oss, Netherlands and came from a wealthy family involved in the grain trade.

In 1877, at the age of 13, Samuel started working as an apprentice in his father's grain business. However, he soon developed an interest in the margarine industry and started his own margarine factory in Rotterdam in 1894, with his brother, Arnold.

Samuel van den Bergh's company, which later merged with Jurgens to become Unilever, became famous for its blue-and-white brand "Blue Band" margarine. He was also known for his innovative advertising campaigns, which included sponsoring sports events and using famous athletes to promote his products.

Van den Bergh was a philanthropist and a supporter of the arts, donating generously to museums and other cultural institutions. He also founded the "Van den Bergh Foundation" to support scientific research.

Samuel van den Bergh was recognized for his contributions to business and society, receiving numerous honors and awards during his lifetime. He passed away in 1941 at the age of 76.