FRY, the name of a well-known English Quaker family. About the middle of the 18th century JOSEPH FRY (1728-1787), a doc tor, settled in Bristol, where he acquired a large practice, but eventually abandoned medicine for commerce. He became inter ested in various manufacturing enterprises, and was the founder of the Bristol firm of J. S. Fry and Sons, chocolate manufacturers. He purchased the chocolate-making patent of William Church man and on it laid the foundations of the business. After his death the Bristol chocolate factory was carried on with increasing success by his widow and by his son, JOSEPH STORRS FRY (1767 1835). In 1795 a new and larger factory was built in Union street, Bristol, and in 1798 a Watt's steam-engine was purchased and the cocoa beans ground by steam. On the death of Joseph Storrs Fry his three sons, Joseph (1795-1879), Francis, and Richard (1807-1878) became partners in the firm, the control being mainly in the hands of FRANCIS FRY (1803-1886). Francis Fry took a principal part in the introduction of railways to the west of England, and in 1852 drew up a scheme for a general English railway parcel service. He was an ardent bibliographer, and made a large collection of early English bibles. In 1896 the business was converted into a private limited company, Joseph Storrs Fry being chairman and all the directors members of the Fry family.