The Ironmasters

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.