Josiah Mason facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Josiah Mason
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Portrait of Mason by Henry Penn, 1870
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| Born | 23 February 1795 Mill Street, Kidderminster, England
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| Died | 16 June 1881 (aged 86) |
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| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Industrialist |
| Known for | Philanthropy |
Sir Josiah Mason (born February 23, 1795 – died June 16, 1881) was an important English businessman and a very generous person. He made a lot of money making things like pens. He used his wealth to help others. He started Mason Science College in 1875. This college later became the famous University of Birmingham.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Business Beginnings
Josiah Mason was born in Kidderminster, England. His father worked as a carpet-weaver. Josiah started working very young. He sold cakes, fruits, and vegetables on the street.
He tried many different jobs in his hometown. These included shoemaking, baking, and carpentry. He also worked as a blacksmith, house-painter, and carpet-weaver. In 1816, he moved to Birmingham.
Starting His Own Business
In Birmingham, Josiah found work in the "gilt-toy trade." This involved making small metal items that looked like gold. In 1824, he started his own business. He made "split-rings" using machines. Later, he began making steel pens.
His pens were sold by James Perry, a famous London stationer. Because of this, Josiah Mason was not as well-known as other pen makers. However, he was actually the biggest pen producer in England. He played a huge part in Birmingham's pen industry.
Expanding His Businesses
In 1874, Josiah Mason's pen business became a limited company. This meant it was owned by shareholders. Besides pens, Mason also ran other businesses for many years. He was involved in electro-plating, which is coating metal with a thin layer of another metal. He also worked in copper-smelting and made India-rubber rings. He did these ventures with a partner named George Elkington.
His Generosity and Legacy
Josiah Mason taught himself almost everything he knew. He learned to write when he was a shoemaker's apprentice. Later in life, he felt that his lack of formal education was a disadvantage. This feeling inspired him to help others get an education.
Founding Institutions
In 1860, he opened a large orphanage in Erdington, near Birmingham. An orphanage is a home for children who have lost their parents. He spent about £300,000 on this project. This was a huge amount of money at the time. Because of his great generosity, he was made a knight in 1872. This is why he is called "Sir" Josiah Mason.
Before the orphanage, he had already given a health clinic to his hometown. He also provided an almshouse in Erdington. An almshouse is a house for poor people. In 1880, Mason Science College was opened. This college later became part of the University of Birmingham. The total value of his gift to the college was about £250,000.
Remembering Sir Josiah Mason
Today, there is a bust (a sculpture of a head and shoulders) of Sir Josiah Mason. It stands in the middle of a roundabout in Erdington. This bust was made in 1951 by William Bloye. It was created from an older marble statue by Francis John Williamson. The original statue was made in 1885 but was later destroyed. Josiah Mason himself did not want a statue made while he was alive. People sometimes "dress up" the bust for special events and holidays.
Images for kids
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Bust by William Bloye, made from a (destroyed) statue by Francis John Williamson
