Abstract
There would clearly be a serious gap if nothing were to be said about the ironmasters. The problems of giving a short but accurate account, however, are almost insuperable. The variety of the ironmasters’ origins, the complexity of their businesses, the extent of change over our period, and for some areas, the lack of research into the group as a whole (however much effort may have been devoted to the lives and businesses of some very prominent men) make generalisation difficult. All that can be done is to make some broad statements, and quote some examples in the belief that they outweigh the contrary instances which could be raised. It will not be feasible, without resorting to a mere catalogue, to refer to all leading ironmasters, even in passing.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1988 The Economic History Society
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Harris, J.R. (1988). The Ironmasters. In: The British Iron Industry 1700–1850. Studies in Economic and Social History. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-06457-1_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-06457-1_8
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-33979-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-06457-1
eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)