Wilkinson, John

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Wilkinson, John (1728–1808). One of the most remarkable ironmasters and entrepreneurs of his day, Wilkinson was born in Cumberland. His father made money producing box-irons and then moved near to Wrexham, where he made high-quality cylinders, much used by Boulton and Watt. John Wilkinson established furnaces at Coalbrookdale, using coal in place of charcoal, and diversified his output. Iron barges on the Severn carried his wares, he provided the ironwork for the great Iron Bridge in 1779, and manufactured lead pipes. But his most profitable line was boring cannon. Said to be harsh and combative, he amassed a large fortune. His sister married Joseph Priestley and in 1792 Wilkinson was reported to be sympathetic towards the French Revolution, paying his workmen in assignats. The DNB remarks coyly that ‘his domestic arrangements were of a very peculiar character’ and he left three illegitimate sons. Known popularly as ‘Iron-mad Wilkinson’, he was buried on his Cumberland estate near Ulverston in an iron coffin inside an iron tomb, roofed by an iron pyramid, and with an inscription, in iron letters, that he had himself composed.

J. A. Cannon

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