Richard Arkwright

23 December 1732 – 3 August 1792

Sir Richard Arkwright was an English inventor and entrepreneur who patented the water frame for spinning cotton and pioneered the modern factory system. His water-powered mill at Cromford, Derbyshire, became the model for cotton factories worldwide, and he died one of the wealthiest commoners in England.

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Life events

Born in Preston, Lancashire, England
23 December 1732

Richard Arkwright was born on 23 December 1732, the youngest of many children in a poor tailor's family.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Worked as a barber and wig-maker in Bolton
c. 1750

Arkwright was apprenticed to a barber and established himself in Bolton, where he prospered from a waterproof dye for wigs before turning to textile machinery.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Patience Holt, his first wife
1755

Arkwright married Patience Holt in 1755; their son Richard Arkwright junior later became one of England's richest men.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Patented the water frame spinning machine
1769

In 1769 Arkwright obtained a patent for his roller spinning frame, developed with clockmaker John Kay, which produced cotton yarn strong enough for warp threads.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Built the world's first water-powered cotton mill at Cromford
1771

In 1771, with partners Jedediah Strutt and Samuel Need, Arkwright established Cromford Mill in Derbyshire, widely regarded as the prototype of the modern factory.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Patented a carding engine and ancillary spinning machinery
1775

Arkwright's broad 1775 patent covered carding, drawing and roving machines that mechanized cotton preparation from raw fibre to yarn.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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His major patents were voided by the courts
1785

In 1785 legal challenges by rival manufacturers led to Arkwright's key patents being cancelled, opening his machinery to general use.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Knighted by King George III
1786

Arkwright was knighted in 1786 and the following year served as High Sheriff of Derbyshire.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at Rock House, Cromford
3 August 1792

Sir Richard Arkwright died on 3 August 1792 at Cromford, leaving a fortune of around half a million pounds.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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