Richard Burbidge

Sir Richard Burbidge, 1st Baronet (2 March 1847 – 31 May 1917) was an English merchant.

He was born in Wiltshire, educated at Devizes and Melksham, and at the age of 13 was apprenticed to a provision merchant in Oxford Street, London, afterwards starting in business as a provision merchant at the age of 19.

Fourteen years later he became general superintendent of the Army and Navy Auxiliary Stores.

He also did a good deal to ensure shorter working hours for shop assistants.

Burbidge was the “private citizen” who anonymously presented about £30,000 to the fund for acquiring the Crystal Palace for the public in 1913.