Book description
From a farming background in Cumbria, John Wilkinson's remarkable
abilities and ambitions ensured his rise to pre-eminence among the
gifted pioneers of the industrial revolution. His colleagues and
friends were similarly talented characters, including James Watt,
Josiah Wedgwood, Richard Crawshay of Cyfarthfa and Thomas Telford.
Wilkinson achieved great leaps in the iron industry and munitions,
including the first use of sound castings and accurate boring for
cannon manufacture, as well as developing steam railway engines,
waterways, and also in copper refining and lead and chemicals. But
while Wilkinson's technological triumphs were admired by
contemporaries, his personal affairs were complicated and sometimes
tragic. This well-informed and readable book gives a unique insight
into the character and thinking of this formidable 'king of the ironmasters'..
Frank Dawson went to live in the Wilkinson family home as a
teacher in 1978, intent on running residential field studies from the
property but knowing little of Wilkinson's history at the time.
Fascination ensued and he began documentary research and to give
lectures on the subject. He spent many years gathering the information
in this book.
David Lake is a member of the Broseley History Society who has
undertaken to finish and publish Frank's work after his death.
