Browse Times
1776-1783
1776
Erection of the first two Watt engines at Broseley and Tipton.
1777
Arrival of William Murdock in Birmingham.
1778
The Trent and Mersey Canal was opened to traffic.
The Catholic Relief Act enabled Catholics to register their places of worship.
1779
Opening of Birmingham’s General Hospital.
Establishment of the Birmingham Library.
Construction of the Ironbridge by Abraham Derby III spanning the River Severn at Coalbrookdale.
Samuel Crompton developed the Spinning Mule combining features of the Spinning Jenny and Water Frame for cotton spinning.
James Keir patented Muntz Metal, which could be forged or wrought when it was cold as well as red-hot.
Founding of the Derby Philosophical Society.
1780
Joseph Priestley settled in Birmingham.
Gordon Riots in London.
James Keir discovered the distinction between carboin acid gas and atmospheric air. He set up a chemical works at Tipton in the same year.
Erasmus Darwin met Samuel Galton junior
1781
The population of Birmingham reached 50,000 making it the second largest English town.
Erasmus Darwin left Lichfield for Derbyshire.
Richard Arkwright built a cotton mill at Rocester near the River Dove.
The New Hall Porcelain Company in Derby began to produce commercially successful porcelain.
James Watt developed his rotary motion.
1782
Josiah Wedgwood ordered a Boulton and Watt engine produced by Matthew Boulton and James Watt to drive a clay mill and colour-grinding mill. Etruria was the first factory to install a rotary steam engine. James Watt developed his double-acting engine.
1783
James Watt patented a rotary steam engine.
The Treaty of Paris ended the American War of Independence and Britain recognised the independence of the USA.
Publication of Thomas Day’s Sandford and Merton.
Articles in this time period
“Allin’s Cabinet of Curiosities”
The site of the Municipal Hall, corner of Congreve Street Old and New Birmingham: A History of… read more »
A Biography of Joseph Wright
Joseph Wright of Derby: Painter of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution Text: Olga Baird Joseph Wright… read more »
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 »
A Glass Blower
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Ladies Dress Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Letter Press Printer
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Paper Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
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
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 »
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 »
A Philosopher, Conduit Street
Image from: Joseph Priestley Collection by Samuel Timmins, Birmingham City Archives.
A Pin Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Portrait of Anna Seward
Anna Seward: “Swan of Lichfield” Born in Derbyshire in 1742, Anna Seward was the daughter of Thomas… read more »
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 »
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 »
A Portrait of James Keir
James Keir: Chemist, Geologist, Industrialist and Inventor James Keir was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland in 1735. He… read more »
A Portrait of James Watt
James Watt: Inventor James Watt was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1736. His father was an instrument… read more »
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 »
A Portrait of John Whitehurst
John Whitehurst: Clockmaker, Engineer and Geologist John Whitehurst was born in Congleton, Cheshire in 1713, the son… read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
A Portrait of William Murdoch
William Murdock: The Incomparable Mechanic William Murdoch (1754 -1839) was one of most creative and least known… read more »
A Rope Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Sadler
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
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 »
A Stocking Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Tin Plate Worker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
A View of Shrewsbury from the South-West
Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 5 Image from: Shropshire Archives
A View of Stourbridge
STOURBRIDGE HAS its name from the bridge built over the river Stour: It is not a town… read more »
A Watch Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Weaver
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
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 »
A Wire Drawer
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Advertisement: Mrs Graham’s Ascent: the first ascent of the Only English Female Aeronaut
Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 2 Image from: Shropshire Archives
Advertisement: Opening of Hughes’ s Great Mammoth Equestrian Establishment, Shrewsbury
Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 5 Image from: Shropshire Archives
