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Edward Norton Grimwade (1866–1945)

Mr Edward Norton Grimwade, who died at his home, Drusilla, Macedon, early yesterday morning, had been a leading figure in the business life of Melbourne for many years. He was chairman of directors of Felton, Grimwade, and Duerdins Pty Ltd, wholesale druggists, and was associated with the boards of several other important companies.

He was the eldest son of the late Mr Frederick Sheppard Grimwade, MLC, and was born at St Kilda on May 25, 1866. He was educated at Melbourne' Grammar School and was apprenticed in 1883 to a London firm of chemists and attended the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. He returned to Australia in 1886 and passed the final examinations of the College of Pharmacy in the following year, gaining the president's prize for highest pass. He then entered his father's business, a connection which remained unbroken till the time of his death. In his younger days he was a keen tennis player. He then became a very keen gun shot and was a good billiard player. He was a Shakespearean scholar, an ardent photographer, and an excellent after-dinner speaker.

He was president of the Australian Club for many years, a position which his father had held before him; was a former president of the Chamber of Commerce; was chairman of Australian Consolidated Industries since its inception, and was a former president of Drug Houses of Australia. He was also chairman of the Felton Bequest Committee, being named in Mr Felton's will to succeed his (Mr Grimwade's) father.

Together with his brothers—Major General Harold William Grimwade; the late Dr Sheppard Grimwade, of Geelong; and Mr Russell Grimwade, of Toorak—he was a generous benefactor to educational institutions in Melbourne, among them Grimwade House of Melbourne Grammar School and Phelia Grimwade House of Melbourne Church of England Girls' Grammar School. Phelia Grimwade House was named in honour of the wife of Mr Norton Grimwade, who pre-deceased her husband some months ago. He was to have made the formal presentation of another benefaction to Phelia Grimwade House tomorrow. Mr and Mrs Grimwade celebrated their golden wedding in 1941.

Mr Norton Grimwade had five sons, Risdon being killed on Gallipoli and Lionel, who served in the Royal Navy during the first World War, having since died. Surviving sons are Frederick, who is on the land at Avenel; Geoffrey, a director of Felton, Grimwade, and Duerdins Pty Ltd, the AMP Society, and several other companies; and Gordon, who is on the land at Benalla.

The funeral service will be held at Sleight's chapel. St Kilda rd, at 10.15am today. A private burial will follow in Brighton Cemetery.

Original publication

Citation details

'Grimwade, Edward Norton (1866–1945)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/grimwade-edward-norton-6495/text25999, accessed 19 March 2024.

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