William Cookworthy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Cookworthy
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William Cookworthy
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| Born | 12 April 1705 Kingsbridge, Devon, England
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| Died | 17 October 1780 (aged 75) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Pharmacy, Porcelain manufacture |
William Cookworthy was an amazing English inventor and businessman who lived from 1705 to 1780. He was a Quaker minister and a very good pharmacist (someone who prepares and sells medicines).
Cookworthy is famous for being the first person in Britain to figure out how to make hard-paste porcelain. This is the strong, beautiful type of porcelain that was imported from China. He also found the special clay, called china clay, needed for it in Cornwall, England.
In 1768, he started a factory in Plymouth to make this new porcelain. Later, in 1770, he moved the factory to Bristol. He eventually sold the business in 1773.
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William Cookworthy's Early Life
William Cookworthy was born on April 12, 1705, in Kingsbridge, Devon, England. His parents, William and Edith, were Quakers. His father was a weaver.
William was a smart kid, but his schooling stopped when his father passed away in 1718. The family also lost their money when an investment in the South Sea Company failed.
Luckily, two Quaker pharmacists in London, the Bevan Brothers, offered William an apprenticeship for free. An apprenticeship is like a training program where you learn a skill while working. Since his family had no money, William walked all the way to London to start his training. He finished his apprenticeship and later became a partner in their business.
Starting a Pharmacy in Plymouth
William Cookworthy moved to Plymouth and opened his own pharmacy with the Bevan Brothers. It was called Bevan and Cookworthy. The business did very well!
Eventually, William brought his own brothers, Philip and Benjamin, into the business. In 1745, he bought out the Bevan Brothers' share. He became an important leader among the Quakers in Devon. He believed that Quakers should not profit from war, for example, by trading goods taken from enemy ships.
Making Porcelain in England
At the time, many people in England were trying to make porcelain. Other factories were making a softer, glass-like porcelain. But Cookworthy wanted to make hard-paste porcelain, just like the beautiful porcelain from China. He learned about the Chinese methods from a Jesuit priest named Père d'Entrecolles.
From 1745, Cookworthy spent many years traveling around Cornwall and Devon. He was looking for the special minerals needed to make hard-paste porcelain. He finally found them in a place called St Stephen's near St Austell.
With some help from Thomas Pitt, he opened the Plymouth China Factory around 1768. This was a big step for English pottery!
Around 1770, the factory moved to Bristol and became the Bristol Porcelain Manufactory. Later, Cookworthy sold the business. Even though the Plymouth porcelain wasn't always perfect, Cookworthy is remembered for finding the huge amounts of English clay and rocks. These discoveries helped create the foundation for all future English porcelain and earthenware.
Family Life
In 1735, William Cookworthy married Sarah Berry, a Quaker from Wellington in Somerset. They had five daughters:
- Lydia – born in 1736
- Sarah – born in 1738
- Mary – born in 1740
- Elizabeth and Susannah (who were twins) – born in 1743
Helping Build a Lighthouse
William Cookworthy was also friends with John Smeaton, a famous engineer. Smeaton stayed at Cookworthy's house while he was building the third Eddystone Lighthouse (from 1756 to 1759).
Cookworthy helped Smeaton develop a special type of hydraulic lime. This was a very important material, like a super-strong cement, that was needed to build the lighthouse successfully in the ocean.
Translating Important Works
In 1767, Cookworthy worked with Rev Thomas Hartley to translate some important books. They translated the theological (religious) works of Emanuel Swedenborg from Latin into English. These books included The Doctrine of Life, Treatise on Influx, and Heaven and Hell.
At first, Cookworthy didn't like Swedenborg's ideas. But he kept reading and eventually became convinced they were important. He then became a strong supporter of Swedenborg's writings.
Famous Friends
William Cookworthy had some famous guests at his home. Before their famous voyages, Captain James Cook and Captain John Jervis visited him. So did the naturalists Dr Solander and Sir Joseph Banks.
Cookworthy also visited Daniel Gumb, who was known as the "Mountain Philosopher." Gumb lived among the rocks at a place called Cheesewring.
