Michael Marks, born in June 1859 and died on December 31, 1907, was a businessman and one of the founders of the Marks and Spencer retail chain. He was born in Slonim, which was then part of the Russian Empire and is now located in modern-day Belarus. In 1881, with no money to his name, he arrived in Stockton-on-Tees during the first wave of Jewish emigration caused by pogroms following the assassination of Alexander II.

Initially, Marks engaged in small trading, visiting fairs and markets, selling goods until 1884. That year, Isaac Dewhurst lent him five pounds, allowing him to open a shop in the open market in Leeds. Over the next ten years, he managed eight stores offering cheap goods. His marketing phrase 'Don't ask the price, it's a penny' helped overcome the language barrier.

In 1894, Marks became a partner of Tom Spencer, who had worked as a cashier for Dewhurst. Due to his continued success, he led a happy family life in Manchester until he suddenly passed away from a heart attack on New Year's Eve. Since 1886, he had been married to Hannah Cohen, and his son Simon, who later received the title of Lord Marks of Broughton, successfully continued the family business.