Peter Charles Larkin

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

The Honourable

Peter Charles Larkin
Peter Larkin during the 1926 Imperial Conference
Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
In office
1922–1930
Prime MinisterW.L. Mackenzie King
Arthur Meighen
Preceded byGeorge Perley
Succeeded byLucien Pacaud (acting)
Personal details
Born(1855-05-14)May 14, 1855
Montreal, Canada East
DiedFebruary 3, 1930(1930-02-03) (aged 74)
London, England

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.[1] 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 USA with factories in Toronto, Montreal and Boston.

Larkin was a close friend of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King and 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.

As Prime Minister of Canada, 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 high commission.

In the late 1920s, Larkin raised $250,000 for Mackenzie King in order to give him financial security.

Notes
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2006-02-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Sir George Halsey Perley		 Canadian High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1922–1930		 Succeeded by
Lucien Turcotte Pacaud, Acting High Commissioner
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