John Hutchinson (industrialist)
John Hutchinson | |
---|---|
Born | 1825 Liverpool, England |
Died | 14 March 1865 (aged 40) Widnes (district formally known as Lancashire), England |
Nationality | English |
Known for | Alkali manufacture |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Chemist |
Notes | |
Opened the first alkali factory in Widnes |
John Hutchinson (1825 – 24 March 1865) was a chemist and industrialist who established the first chemical factory in Widnes, then Lancashire now Cheshire (from April 1998), England.[a] He moved from working in a chemical factory in St Helens and built his own chemical factory in 1847 in the Woodend area of Widnes near to Widnes Dock by the junction of the Sankey Canal and the River Mersey. In this factory he manufactured alkali by the Leblanc process.
He later opened a second alkali factory nearby and developed a number of other business interests. He died at the early age of 40 by which time a number of other chemical factories had opened in the town.
Early life
The Hutchinson family came from Durham but moved to Liverpool where John was born. His father, John, had held a commission in the Royal Navy and served under Nelson during the Napoleonic Wars.[1] In Liverpool he was a shipbroker and he acted as a Lloyd's agent.[2] Nothing is known of John junior's early education until he was a student in Paris where he met Andrew George Kurtz, the son of Andrew Kurtz who owned an alkali factory in St Helens. Hutchinson was subsequently given a post at this factory.[3]
Chemical business
In 1848 and at the age of 22, Hutchinson obtained a lease of land in Widnes, where he established his first factory, Hutchinson's No 1 Works. This was built between the terminus of the
In 1859 Hutchinson built his No 2 Works
Around 1853 Hutchinson entered into partnership with Oswald Earle who had interests in the
Politics and religion
Hutchinson was politically a
Personal life
In 1850 Hutchinson married Mary Elizabeth Kinsey who had been born in Ireland but who was a member of an old Cheshire and Shropshire family. They lived throughout their marriage in Appleton Lodge, Widnes, and had five children, three daughters and two sons, including John, Arthur, Mary and Gertrude.[20]
In 1865 at the age of 40 years Hutchinson died at his home.[17] The cause of his death was certified as consumption and his estate was valued at under £50,000. During his life the population of Widnes had increased almost fivefold. His contemporaries called him "the father of Widnes".[21]
References and notes
Notes
- ^ At that time Widnes was in the historical county of Lancashire; it is now in the ceremonial county of Cheshire.
- Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.[10]
Citations
- ^ Hardie 1950, p. 27.
- ^ a b Hardie 1950, p. 221.
- ^ Hardie 1950, p. 24.
- ^ Diggle 1961, p. 20.
- ^ a b Greatbatch, M. L.; Mercer, P. J., Spike Island, Halton Borough Council
- ^ Hardie 1950, p. 25.
- ^ Hardie 1950, pp. 32–34.
- ^ a b Diggle 1961, p. 26.
- ^ Hardie 1950, p. 56.
- ^ Welcome, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, archived from the original on 26 July 2013, retrieved 18 August 2013
- ^ Hardie 1950, p. 94.
- ^ Hardie 1950, pp. 89–92.
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 18 August 2013 ((subscription or UK public library membershiprequired))
- ^ Hardie 1950, pp. 27–28.
- ^ Hardie 1950, p. 222.
- ^ Diggle 1961, pp. 29–30.
- ^ a b Hardie 1950, p. 62.
- ^ Hardie 1950, p. 29.
- ^ Hardie 1950, pp. 30, 222–223.
- ^ Hardie 1950, p. 28.
- ^ Diggle 1961, pp. 44–45.
Sources