Josiah Wedgwood
On the 12th of July 1730, Josiah Wedgwood was born into a family of potters in Burslem. The village had several related families working clay near St John's parish church. His father Thomas ran Churchyard Works and his mother Mary Stringer raised thirteen children with Unitarian values. Knowledge based on reason and experiment mattered more to her than dogma. Young Josiah attended dame school before walking miles to Newcastle-under-Lyme for formal education around 1737.
The boy suffered a severe bout of smallpox when he was nearly twelve years old. The disease affected his right knee but did not kill him. He recovered enough to begin an apprenticeship under his brother Thomas on the 11th of November 1744. Pottery work required standing at a wheel for hours each day. Pain returned within a year or two and stopped him from throwing pots entirely.
His brother dismissed ideas for improvement as unnecessary and refused partnership proposals. Wedgwood worked as manager in a pot-works near Stoke during 1751 or 1752 instead. A second injury spread inflammation through his leg months later. He convalesced in bed reading literature and science books while William Willet visited regularly. Willet married Wedgwood's sister Catherine in 1754 and brought extensive learning to their conversations.
Wedgwood partnered with Thomas Whieldon after six months of research and preparation. They developed an exceptionally brilliant green glaze that created immediate demand. Samples went to Birmingham wholesalers where business contacts formed quickly. A knee injury forced another period of rest and study.
By 1763 orders came from Queen Charlotte herself. He convinced her to name the line Queen's Ware and used royal association in all paperwork. Anything made for the Queen was exhibited before delivery. The creamware became hugely popular as a cheaper equivalent of porcelain. Trade outgrown rooms in Grosvenor Square within two years.
Black basalt stoneware emerged around 1769 when vases were all the cry in London. This body could imitate Etruscan or Greek shapes excavated in Italy. Wedgwood called himself Vase Maker General to the Universe. Jasperware experiments began around 1771 but received no advertising for several years.
Gilding proved unpopular so he reduced offensive gilding by 1772 following suggestions from Sir William Hamilton. English society found naked classical figures too warm for their taste. Gowns covered girls while fig leaves protected gods. Flowerpots sold better as Duchess of Devonshire flowerpots.
Wedgwood opened a warehouse at Charles Street Mayfair in 1765 that became integral to sales organization. Special display rooms beguiled fashionable company during visits. Workers labored day and night to satisfy demand while crowds blocked streets outside. New goods held back increased effect upon release.
The first Ornamental Catalogue appeared in 1773 with illustrated shapes. Empress Catherine the Great ordered the Green Frog Service consisting of 952 pieces over a thousand original paintings. Most painting occurred in Wedgwood's Chelsea decorating studio. The display brought numbers of people of fashion into rooms for over a month.
Catharine paid £2,700 for the service which now sits in Hermitage Museum. Strictly uneconomical productions offered huge advertising value. Showrooms opened in Bath Liverpool Dublin alongside Etruria and Westminster locations. Timing openings carefully increased impact on customers.
He sought out Barberini vase as final test of technical skill around 1784. Three years work produced what he considered satisfactory copy by 1789. Limited jasper displays created feeling of rarity among buyers. Sales techniques detailed by Cambridge professor Neil McKendrick show his strategic thinking.
Wedgwood backed Trent and Mersey Canal dug between River Trent and River Mersey. Friends formed with Erasmus Darwin during construction. Business growth moved operations from Ivy Works to newly built Etruria Works running for 180 years.
Factory named after Etruria district where black porcelain dating to Etruscan times excavated. Black Basalt duplication became first major commercial success. Experiments combined art with mass production technique while improving roads canals schools living conditions.
Etruria village built for workers included motto Sic fortis Etruria crevit over main entrance. Thomas Bentley died in 1780 leaving Wedgwood to turn to Darwin for business help. Close association grew between families resulting in marriage between Josiah's eldest daughter and Erasmus' son.
Amputation of right leg happened due to continuing smallpox-afflicted knee trouble. Family moved into completed Etruria Hall after factory opened June 1769. They stayed months in Little Etrulia house built for Bentley before moving halls.
Joseph Hooper commissioned anti-slavery medallion as founder of Society for Effecting Abolition Slave Trade. Actual design probably done by William Hackwood or Henry Webber modellers at factory. Mass-produced cameos depicting seal widely distributed throughout society.
BBC called most famous image of black person in all 18th-century art. Ladies wore bracelets fitted up ornamental manner as pins hair. Taste for wearing them became general making fashion promote justice humanity freedom.
Large-scale copies painted hang walls used on clay tobacco pipes. Design popularized abolition movement through everyday objects. Wedgwood mass-produced items showing allegorical group Hope encouraging Art Labour under influence Peace pursue employments necessary give security happiness infant settlement.
Sydney Cove Medallion commemorated landing First Fleet January 1788 using sample clay from cove received Sir Joseph Banks from Governor Arthur Phillip. Commemorative piece showed allegorical group described Hope encouraging Art Labour under influence Peace pursue employments necessary give security happiness infant settlement.
Wedgwood belonged fifth generation family potters whose traditional occupation continued another five generations. Company remains famous name pottery part Fiskars group today. Collection samples company works preserved posterity since 1774 later put Wedgwood Museum.
Museum won UK Art Fund Prize Museums Galleries Museum Year 2009 displays pottery skills designs artefacts. Archive inscribed UNESCO UK Memory World Register 2011 recognizing historical importance.
Josiah's eldest daughter Susannah married Robert Darwin becoming mother English naturalist Charles Darwin. Charles married Emma Wedgwood cousin wife. Thomas Wedgwood best known pioneer photographer died 1805.
Unitarian practice ensured Sarah well educated Jos wrote loving Sally letters. Children attended schools starting 1772 boys Hindley Sukey dame school Lancashire niece daughter Mrs Willet. John Bolton boarding school Unitarian minister Philip Holland followed young Josiah next year Tom 1779.
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Common questions
When was Josiah Wedgwood born and where did he grow up?
Josiah Wedgwood was born on the 12th of July 1730 in Burslem. He grew up in a family of potters near St John's parish church.
How did smallpox affect Josiah Wedgwood's career as a potter?
Smallpox damaged his right knee when he was nearly twelve years old. The injury eventually forced him to stop throwing pots entirely due to pain.
What famous pottery line did Queen Charlotte name for Josiah Wedgwood?
Queen Charlotte named the creamware line Queen's Ware after receiving samples from Josiah Wedgwood. This royal association helped make the cheaper porcelain equivalent hugely popular.
Why is the Josiah Wedgwood anti-slavery medallion considered historically significant?
The BBC called it the most famous image of a black person in all 18th-century art. Mass-produced cameos depicting the seal were widely distributed to promote justice and freedom.
Who are the notable descendants of Josiah Wedgwood mentioned in the text?
His eldest daughter Susannah married Robert Darwin becoming the mother of English naturalist Charles Darwin. Thomas Wedgwood also died in 1805 as a pioneer photographer.