Josiah Wedgwood II facts for kids
Josiah Wedgwood II (born April 3, 1769 – died July 12, 1843) was an important English businessman. He was the son of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood. Josiah II took over his father's pottery company. He also became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Stoke-upon-Trent. This meant he helped make laws for the country. He was strongly against slavery and worked to end it.
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A Life of Business and Beliefs
Josiah Wedgwood II was born in 1769. He followed in his famous father's footsteps. His father, Josiah Wedgwood, created the well-known Wedgwood pottery company. Josiah II continued to run this family business.
He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP). From 1832 to 1835, he represented the area of Stoke-upon-Trent. As an MP, he worked in the government. Josiah II was a strong supporter of ending slavery. He truly disliked the practice of slavery.
Helping a Friend
Josiah and his brother, Thomas, were good friends with the writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge. They wanted to help Coleridge focus on his writing and thinking. So, in 1798, they gave him money every year. This support meant Coleridge did not have to worry about earning money. It allowed him to spend his time on literary and philosophical work. Coleridge accepted this help. He agreed to stop his work as a minister in the Unitarian Church.
Home and Family Life
In 1807, Josiah Wedgwood II bought a large house called Maer Hall. This house was in Staffordshire, England. His family lived there for many years. Josiah II stayed at Maer Hall until he passed away in 1843.
New Ideas for Wedgwood Pottery
Josiah Wedgwood II also made important changes at the Wedgwood Company. He was responsible for creating the company's first bone china products. Bone china is a special type of porcelain. It is known for being very white and strong.
Connecting Families: The Darwins and Wedgwoods
Josiah Wedgwood II married Elizabeth Allen. They had a large family together. They had four sons and five daughters. Two of their daughters married their first cousins. These cousins were the children of Robert Darwin and Susannah Wedgwood. This means the Wedgwood and Darwin families became very closely linked.
Here are their children:
- Sarah Elizabeth Wedgwood (1793–1880)
- Josiah Wedgwood III (1795–1880); he married his cousin Caroline Darwin. Caroline was the sister of the famous scientist Charles Darwin.
- Mary Anne Wedgwood (1796–1798); she died as a baby.
- Charlotte Wedgwood (1797–1862); she married Charles Langton in 1832. After her death, Charles Langton married her cousin Emily Catherine Darwin. Emily was also a sister of Charles Darwin.
- Henry Allen Wedgwood (1799–1885); he later married his cousin Jessie Wedgwood. Jessie was the daughter of John Wedgwood.
- Francis "Frank" Wedgwood (1800–1888)
- Hensleigh Wedgwood (1803–1891)
- Frances (Fanny) Wedgwood (1806–1832)
- Emma Wedgwood (1808–1896); she married her cousin Charles Darwin. Charles was the son of Robert Darwin.
