John Labatt


John Labatt was a Canadian businessman and brewer.

Life and career

Labatt was born in Westminster Township, near London, Upper Canada, and was the son of Eliza, from Bradford, England, and John Kinder Labatt, who came from Ireland and was the founder of the Labatt Brewing Company. He attended Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario, graduating in 1896.
When his father died in 1866, Labatt assumed control of the company. Under his supervision, it grew to be the largest brewery in Canada. Following his death, the company was controlled by a trust operated by his nine children, although his sons John Sackville Labatt and Hugh Francis Labatt assumed managerial control.
Labatt died in 1915. His wife was Catherine Maria Biddulph. His grandson was actor Hume Cronyn and his great-grandson was actor Graham Jarvis.