Hawkes & Son (later Rivière & Hawkes) was founded in 1865 by William Henry Hawkes and originally sold orchestral sheet music. The company also made musical instruments and spare parts such as clarinet reeds, and by 1925 Hawkes had set up an instrument factory in Edgware, North London. The business, which was particularly known for brass and military band music, was eventually inherited by Ralph Hawkes (1898–1950). The company eventually merged with Boosey & Company to form Boosey & Hawkes.