Matthew Boulton
1728–1809 (age 81)
Biography
Matthew Boulton gained renown as an enterprising businessperson whose Soho manufactory married artistry with industrial skill, producing objects celebrated for both beauty and precision. He championed innovation, invested in apprentices, and promoted the value of craftsmanship that could enrich Britain’s growing markets.
He remained attached to St Mary’s Church, where he supported the choir and encouraged the congregation to share in the advances of the age. When he passed in 1809, many recalled not only his brilliant ventures but the warmth with which he asked about the lives of his workers and neighbours.