Francis Henry Crittall facts for kids

Francis Henry Crittall (born 1860, died 1935) was a clever English businessman and philanthropist (someone who helps others, often by donating money). In 1884, in the town of Braintree, he started making metal-framed windows. His company, now called Crittall Windows Ltd, grew to become the world's top maker of steel windows. Francis Crittall also helped pay for the building of Silver End, a special model village in Essex.

Francis Henry Crittall was the son of Francis Berrington Crittall. In 1849, his father bought an ironmongery (a shop selling metal goods) in Braintree. After learning about business in Birmingham and Chester, Francis Henry took over the family shop when his father passed away. In 1884, he began making metal windows. Just five years later, in 1889, his company officially became the Crittall Manufacturing Company Ltd.

At first, the company produced about 20 tonnes of windows every two years. In 1880, only 11 men worked there. By the 1890s, this number grew to 34, and by 1918, a huge 500 people worked for Crittall.

Under Francis Crittall's leadership, the company grew a lot both in England and around the world. During the First World War, they even made military supplies. After the war, they provided metal window frames for the UK government's new housing projects.

A famous artist named Augustus Edwin John painted Francis Crittall's picture in 1919. The Crittall family later gave this painting to the National Portrait Gallery in 1994.

Building the Silver End Village

By the 1920s, it became clear that the town of Braintree was not big enough for all the Crittall workers. About 10,000 of Braintree's 18,000 residents were Crittall employees and their families! So, Francis Crittall decided to build a whole new village for his factory and workers.

The Silver End Model Village, located near Witham, started being built in 1926. The idea was to create a place with good homes and community facilities, all centered around a Crittall factory.

While Francis Henry Crittall paid for the Silver End project, his second son, Walter 'Pink' Crittall (1887–1956), was in charge of much of the design and planning. Walter designed houses for himself and for the Crittall employees. Along with architect Thomas S. Tait, he played a big part in making Silver End look the way it does.

Crittall's Family Life

Francis Crittall married Ellen Laura Carter on September 6, 1883. They had four children together. One of their children was Valentine George Crittall, who later became the 1st and last Baron Braintree. The family lived in a house called Manors in Silver End. In 1934, Francis and Ellen wrote a book about their lives called Fifty Years of Work and Play.