Robert Simpson (merchant)

Robert Simpson (merchant)

Robert Simpson (September 17, 1834 – December 14, 1897) was the founder of Simpson's Department Store.

Born in Strathspey, Moray, Scotland in 1834 to Peter Simpson and Jane Christie Parmouth. Born to a general store owner, he was trained in the drapery trade in Elgin, Moray before emigrating to Newmarket, Province of Canada at the age of 21 where he worked at his uncle's dry goods store. Before long, Simpson started up his own store in Newmarket, Ontario as the Simpson & Trent Groceries, Boots, Shoes and Dry Goods (1858–1870) and later as the Robert Simpson Company from 1870 to 1871. Simpson and his family relocated back to Toronto in 1871 and in 1872 he opened a pioneer department store in Toronto that eventually expanded into the major national chain, Simpson's.

For decades, Simpson's store was in a rivalry with fellow retailer Timothy Eaton on Yonge Street.

Simpson married Mary Anne Botsford and had one daughter, Margaret.

Robert Simpson died in 1897 and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.