James Watt junior facts for kids

James Watt junior (born February 5, 1769 – died June 2, 1848) was an important English engineer, businessman, and activist. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, a group of top scientists. He played a key role in managing the famous Boulton & Watt company, which made steam engines.

Early Life and Education

James Watt junior was born on February 5, 1769. His father was the famous inventor James Watt. His mother was Margaret Miller, his father's first wife. He also had a half-brother named Gregory Watt.

Young James went to school near Birmingham, at a place called Winson Green. His teacher was the Rev. Henry Pickering. His father wanted a better school for him, but couldn't find one. He wasn't happy with how well his son was learning.

When James was 15, he spent a year at the Bersham Ironworks. This was a factory owned by John Wilkinson. After that, he traveled to Geneva in Switzerland. There, he stayed with Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure and met other important thinkers. Later, he went to Eisenach in Germany to learn the German language.

Working in Manchester

In 1788, Watt came back to England. He started working in the textile business in Manchester. First, he worked at Taylor & Maxwell, a company that made a type of cloth called fustian. He worked in their accounting office.

Later, he worked for Thomas Walker. Walker was a radical, meaning he wanted big changes in society. Watt changed jobs just before the Priestley riots in July 1791. These riots were a time of unrest in Birmingham.

Watt was part of many smart groups in Manchester. One was the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. People like Walker, Watt, and Thomas Cooper discussed ideas about freedom and new economic theories. Watt became a secretary for this Society in 1790. He was interested in many subjects, including chemistry.

Through Thomas Cooper, Watt joined the Constitutional Society. This group wanted to change the government. Many of these people, including Walker and Cooper, were also against slavery. They helped start the Manchester Constitutional Society in 1790.

Travels in France

In March 1792, Watt went to Paris, France, with Thomas Cooper. This was during the French Revolution. They brought a message to the Jacobin Club from their Manchester group. The Jacobin Club sent a reply.

Soon after, Watt was criticized in the British Parliament. This happened because of his connections to the French Revolution. He was mentioned alongside Joseph Priestley, a famous scientist.

In Paris, Watt met important chemists like Antoine Lavoisier. But most of the discussions were about politics. He also met the poet William Wordsworth, who became his friend. Watt also had business talks with Jean-Marie Roland, a French politician.

At first, Watt supported the French revolutionaries. He even defended some of their actions. But later in 1792, Watt and Cooper were suspected of supporting a different political group. They left France for Italy. Watt stayed away from England for a while. He was worried about legal problems back home. When his friends Walker and Jackson were cleared of charges in 1794, Watt felt safe to return.

Later Life and Business Success

When Watt returned to England in 1794, he decided not to move to America. He had thought about it seriously before. Instead, he became a partner in the Soho Foundry firm, Boulton & Watt. This company was famous for making steam engines.

Watt and Matthew Robinson Boulton managed the company together. Watt focused on the daily operations and organization of the factory. Boulton was more involved in planning. One challenge was selling steam engines in the industrial north of England. The company worked hard to stop other firms from copying their inventions.

Watt also supported the Pneumatic Institution. This group, led by Thomas Beddoes, studied gases for medical uses. Later, Boulton & Watt were able to sell gases for industrial purposes, not just medicine.

Innovations in Steamships

Watt helped Robert Fulton with his steamboat. In 1807, he provided the engine for Fulton's North River Steamboat. This was the first steamboat to run on the Hudson River in America.

Watt became very interested in engines for ships. In 1817, he bought a ship called Caledonia. He put new engines in it. He then sailed the ship to Holland and up the River Rhine to Coblenz. This was the first steamship to leave an English port and travel so far. After this trip, he made big improvements to marine steam engines.

Final Years and Legacy

In 1817, Watt moved into Aston Hall in Warwickshire. He was appointed High Sheriff of Warwickshire for 1829–30. This was an important local position.

After his father died in 1819, Watt worked hard to protect his father's memory and reputation. He wanted to make sure his father received full credit for his inventions. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1820.

James Watt junior died at Aston Hall on June 2, 1848.

Images for kids

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  Replica of the North River Steamboat, 1909

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  Aston Hall, Birmingham