Matthew Boulton, English Manufacturer #1
by Wellcome Images
Title
Matthew Boulton, English Manufacturer #1
Artist
Wellcome Images
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Matthew Boulton. Stipple engraving by A. Cardon, 1812, after W. Evans after Sir W. Beechey, 1799. Boulton (September 3, 1728 - August 17, 1809) was an English manufacturer and business partner of Scottish engineer James Watt. He was the son of a Birmingham manufacturer of small metal products who died when Boulton was 31. He managed and expanded the business, adopted the latest techniques, and branched into silver plate, ormolu and other decorative arts. When Watt's business partner, John Roebuck, was unable to pay a debt to Boulton, he accepted Roebuck's share of Watt's patent as settlement. He lobbied Parliament to extend Watt's patent for an additional 17 years, enabling the firm to market Watt's steam engine. The firm installed hundreds of Boulton & Watt steam engines in Britain and abroad. Boulton also founded the Soho Mint, to which he soon adapted steam power. He sought to improve the poor state of Britain's coinage, and after several years of effort obtained a contract in 1797 to produce the first British copper coinage in a quarter century. His cartwheel pieces were well designed and difficult to counterfeit, and included the first striking of the large copper British penny.
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April 18th, 2016
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