1784-1791

1784
Henry Cort developed the puddling process for manufacturing iron.

1785
Edmund Cartwright developed the power loom for weaving. Engines produced by Matthew Boulton and James Watt were first used to power spinning machines in cotton factories. William Withering’s Account of the Foxglove and some of its medicinal uses was published. Anna Seward’s poem Colebrookdale was published.

1786
James Watt developed the centrifugal governor.

1787
Josiah Wedgwood helped to form the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and he produced his medallion Am I a Slave and a Brother for the campaign.

1788
John Whitehurst died.

1789
Thomas Day died in Surrey.

1791
Priestley Riots. Destruction of the homes of Priestley, Baskerville and the homes of Withering, Hutton, the Taylors and others.
Joseph Priestley left Birmingham. Rebuilding of Jewish synagogue in Hurst Street, Birmingham. Catholic chapels and schools were legalised. Opening of the world’s first Irvingite or Swedenborgian chapel in Birmingham.

Articles in this time period

4118-0

“Allin’s Cabinet of Curiosities”

The site of the Municipal Hall, corner of Congreve Street Old and New Birmingham: A History of… read more »

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3723-0

A Biography of Joseph Wright

Joseph Wright of Derby: Painter of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution Text: Olga Baird Joseph Wright… read more »

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4038-0

A Biography of Robert Bage

Image: The Mill House, Elford, near Lichfield. The home of Robert Bage in the late 18th century. Robert… read more »

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3749-0

A Cottage on Fire

Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), Oil on Canvas

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3688-0

A Glass Blower

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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3675-0

A Ladies Dress Maker

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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3734-0read more »
3681-0

A Letter Press Printer

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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1260-0

A Merchant

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806

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3680-0

A Paper Maker

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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4785-0

A Perspective View of Ludlow Castle for the European Magazine, and article on The Late Storms

Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 5 Image from: Shropshire Archives

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3715-0

A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery (1764-1766)

Image:Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797. Oil on Canvas, Image from: Derby Museum & Art Gallery Public scientific lectures… read more »

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3715-0

A Philosopher lecturing on the Orrery (1766)

Wright’s painting is a celebration of scientific knowledge and the interpreter of this knowledge, the philosopher. The… read more »

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4533-0

A Philosopher, Conduit Street

Image from: Joseph Priestley Collection by Samuel Timmins, Birmingham City Archives.

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3677-0

A Pin Maker

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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4-0

A Portrait of Anna Seward

Anna Seward: “Swan of Lichfield” Born in Derbyshire in 1742, Anna Seward was the daughter of Thomas… read more »

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7-0

A Portrait of Dr. Erasmus Darwin

Erasmus Darwin: Doctor, Inventor, Poet and Educationalist Erasmus Darwin was born at Elston, near Nottingham, in 1731… read more »

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19-0

A Portrait of Dr. William Withering

William Withering: Physician, Botanist and Mineralogist In 1741, William Withering was born at Wellington, Shropshire, the only… read more »

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945-0

A Portrait of James Keir

James Keir: Chemist, Geologist, Industrialist and Inventor James Keir was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland in 1735. He… read more »

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17-0

A Portrait of James Watt

James Watt: Inventor James Watt was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1736. His father was an instrument… read more »

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3724-0

A Portrait of Jedediah Strutt

Jedediah Strutt: Industrialist and Philanthopist Text: Olga Baird Jedediah Strutt (1726-1797) was one of leading pioneer industrialists of… read more »

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3722-1

A Portrait of John Whitehurst

John Whitehurst: Clockmaker, Engineer and Geologist John Whitehurst was born in Congleton, Cheshire in 1713, the son… read more »

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14-0

A Portrait of Maria Edgeworth

Maria Edgeworth: Author and Educationalist Text: Kate Iles Image: Birmingham City Archives Maria Edgeworth was born in Oxford in… read more »

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15-0

A Portrait of Rev. Joseph Priestley

Joseph Priestley: Scientist, Philosopher and Reformer Born into a Yorkshire wool manufacturing family in 1733, Priestley was… read more »

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12-0

A Portrait of Richard Lovell Edgeworth

Richard Lovell Edgeworth: Inventor, Educator and Reformer In 1744, Edgeworth was born in Bath into a landowning… read more »

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4654-0

A Portrait of Thomas Telford: Civil Engineer

Image: Portrait of Thomas Telford (1757-1834). Frontispiece of Atlas to the Life of Thomas Telford, Civil Engineer containing eighty-three… read more »

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4001-0

A Portrait of William Murdoch

William Murdock: The Incomparable Mechanic William Murdoch (1754 -1839) was one of most creative and least known… read more »

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634-0

A Prize Bull

First half of the 19th century, Edmund Bristow (1787-1876, b. Eton – d. Eton). Wolverhampton Art Gallery.… read more »

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3668-0

A Rope Maker

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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3687-0

A Sadler

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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4547-0

A Sorry End: The Priestley Riots of 1791

Image: Ticket for the French Revolution Dinner, Birmingham 14 July 1791. The Dinner began the chain of events… read more »

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3673-0

A Stocking Maker

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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3683-0

A Tin Plate Worker

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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616-0

A View of Droitwich, from Dodder hill

DROITWICH, IS a place of great antiquity, probably it was known to the Romans, but certainly in… read more »

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617-0

A View of Evesham, from Bengworth Lays

EVESHAM; Or, EOVESHAM; So called from Eoves, a Swine Herd of St. Egwin. THIS town may date its… read more »

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619-0

A View of Pershore, from Pensham hill

PERSHORE So called, as some imagine, from the Shores of the Avon, and the Pear Trees which… read more »

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620-0

A View of Shipston Upon Stower

SHIPSTON FROM its situation near the river called SHIPSTON-UPON-STOUR, is a market-town, though only a chapel or… read more »

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4782-0

A View of Shrewsbury from the South-West

Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 5 Image from: Shropshire Archives

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621-0

A View of Stourbridge

STOURBRIDGE HAS its name from the bridge built over the river Stour: It is not a town… read more »

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3690-0

A Watch Maker

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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3671-0

A Weaver

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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4435-0

A Window on the World: Richard Greene’s Museum of Curiosities in Lichfield

Image: “An East View of the Cathedral Church of St Chad’s & Close of Lichfield; Taken from Stow-pool… read more »

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3679-0

A Wire Drawer

Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »

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951-0

Address to Woman. From the Italian by Anna Seward

[From “Poetical Works of Anna Seward, Vol 2”] [176] ADDRESS TO WOMAN. FROM THE ITALIAN. Designed for… read more »

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4779-0

Advertisement: Batty’s Circus, Shrewsbury, including the ascent of Mr Hughes on his head on top of a balloon

Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 4 Image from: Shropshire Archives

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4714-0

Advertisement: Charles Radenhurst, New Royal Hotel, New Street, Birmingham

Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »

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4716-0

Advertisement: Iohn Traies, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, Birmingham

Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »

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4730-0

Advertisement: J. Darwen and Son, Saddlers, Harness Makers, Bridle Cutters, etc, Birmingham

Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »

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4722-0

Advertisement: Kendall and Son, Perfumers, Cabinet Case Makers, and Importers of Foreign Fancy Merchandise, London

Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »

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4713-0

Advertisement: Messenger and Sons, Manufacturers of Chandeliers, Tripods and Lamps

Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »

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