Browse Times
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
“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 Prize Bull
First half of the 19th century, Edmund Bristow (1787-1876, b. Eton – d. Eton). Wolverhampton Art Gallery.… 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 »
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 »
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 »
