Josiah Wedgwood, F.R.S.: His Personal History

Samuel Smiles

• Publisher: Paeroa House
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9781779795571
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Art General

From the humble beginnings of a countryside potter's workshop emerged one of Britain's most extraordinary industrial pioneers, a man who would transform clay into an empire and reshape the very foundations of manufacturing. Josiah Wedgwood's story reads like a masterclass in determination against impossible odds, where a young craftsman with a crippled leg and relentless ambition defied every limitation society placed upon him. Samuel Smiles unveils the dramatic rise of a revolutionary who didn't merely create beautiful pottery but engineered an entire industrial revolution, one perfectly formed piece at a time. This compelling biography captures the electric atmosphere of 18th-century Britain, where innovation crackled through the air and fortunes were won or lost on the strength of a single brilliant idea. Smiles masterfully chronicles Wedgwood's transformation from struggling artisan to the potter of kings and queens, revealing the passionate obsession that drove him to conduct thousands of experiments, endure crushing setbacks, and ultimately create pottery so exquisite it graced royal tables across Europe. The narrative pulses with the intensity of Wedgwood's scientific pursuits, his groundbreaking business innovations, and his fierce dedication to quality that made his name synonymous with excellence. Through intimate personal details and dramatic turning points, we witness how one man's vision revolutionized not just an industry, but the entire concept of manufacturing and marketing. For entrepreneurs, history enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the power of human determination, this biography offers profound insights into the mind of a true visionary. Smiles, renowned for his inspiring biographical works, delivers an unforgettable portrait that reveals timeless principles of innovation, perseverance, and strategic thinking that remain startlingly relevant today. Discover how Wedgwood's legacy extends far beyond beautiful ceramics to encompass revolutionary manufacturing techniques, marketing genius, and social progress that helped shape the modern world.

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• CHAPTER I—JOSIAH WEDGWOOD—BIRTH AND EDUCATION
• CHAPTER II—THE WEDGWOOD FAMILY
• CHAPTER III—JOSIAH WEDGWOOD LEARNS HIS TRADE
• CHAPTER IV—PARTNERSHIPS WITH HARRISON AND WHIELDON
• CHAPTER V—WEDGWOOD BEGINS BUSINESS FOE HIMSELF
• CHAPTER VI—IMPROVEMENT OF WARE—FRIENDSHIP WITH BENTLEY
• CHAPTER VII—WEDGWOOD’S MARRIAGE
• CHAPTER VIII—WEDGWOOD APPOINTED QUEEN’S POTTER
• CHAPTER IX—FOUNDING OF ETRURIA—PARTNERSHIP WITH BENTLEY
• CHAPTER X—ROADS AND CANALS THROUGH STAFFORDSHIRE
• CHAPTER XI—IMPROVEMENT OF MODELS—CHEMISTRY
• CHAPTER XII—AMPUTATION OF WEDGWOOD’S RIGHT LEG
• CHAPTER XIII—WEDGWOOD’S ARTISTIC WORK
• CHAPTER XIV—PORTRAITS—MEDALLIONS—ARTISTIC WORK
• CHAPTER XV—GROWAN CLAY—KAOLIN—BÖTTGHER—COOK-WORTHY—MANUFACTURE OF PORCELAIN
• CHAPTER XVI—WEDGWOOD’S JOURNEY INTO CORNWALL
• CHAPTER XVII—WEDGWOOD AND FLAXMAN
• CHAPTER XVIII—WEDGWOOD AT WORK AGAIN—DEATH OF BENTLEY
• CHAPTER XIX—WEDGWOOD’S PYROMETER OR THERMOMETER
• CHAPTER XX—THE BARBERINI OR PORTLAND VASE
• CHAPTER XXI—WEDGWOOD’S PERSONAL HISTORY—HIS SONS’ EDUCATION
• CHAPTER XXII—CHARACTER OF WEDGWOOD