Matthew Boulton

Biography

Boulton was born in Birmingham, England where his father, Matthew Boulton the elder, was a "toymaker" (a manufacturer of small metal articles of various kinds). In 1749 he became a partner in his father's business (and the general manager), and in 1755 the Boultons acquired Sarehole Mill, which they used for rolling sheet metal. In 1756 Boulton married Mary Robinson, a distant cousin and heir to a large fortune. They had no children and she died around 1760.

Shortly after his father's death in 1759, Boulton went into partnership with John Fothergill. In 1762, they established the Soho Manufactory, two miles north of Birmingham. Here they undertook the manufacture of artistic objects in metal, as well as the reproduction of oil paintings by a mechanical process in which he was associated with Francis Egginton (1737-1805), who subsequently achieved a reputation as a worker in stained or enamelled glass. In this, he was also encouraged by Robert Adam. Between 1762 and 1775 he established a strong reputation as a craftsman; his works at Soho were widely known for excellent and artistic workmanship.

About 1767, Boulton, needing to improve the power supply for his machinery, made the acquaintance of James Watt, who on his side appreciated the advantages offered by the Soho works for the development of his steam-engine.

In 1772, Watt's partner, Dr. John Roebuck, got into financial difficulties, and Boulton, to whom he owed £1200, accepted his two-thirds share in Watt's patent in satisfaction of the debt. Three years later, Boulton and Watt formally entered into partnership, and it was mainly through the energy and self-sacrifice of the former, who devoted all the capital he had or could borrow to the enterprise, that the steam engine was at length made a commercial success. Boulton also arranged, in 1775, an act of parliament extending the term of Watt's 1769 patent to 1799. In 1800, the two partners retired from the business, which they handed over to their sons, Matthew Robinson Boulton and James Watt junior.

In 1788, Boulton turned his attention to coining machinery, and erected at Soho a complete plant with which he struck coins for the Sierra Leone and East India companies and for Russia, and in 1797, produced a new copper coinage for Britain. Also in 1797, he took out a patent in connection with raising water on the principle of the hydraulic ram.

Boulton married his late wife's sister Anne (Nancy) at about this time - the marriage was contrary to ecclesiastical law, being considered incestuous, so it was conducted in obscure circumstances.

The Boultons had a daughter, Anne (died 1829), and a son, Matthew Robinson Boulton (1770-1842).

He died at Birmingham on August 18, 1809. He is buried in the grounds of St. Mary's Church, Handsworth, in Birmingham.

Boulton was a key member of the Lunar Society. His home, Soho House, is now a museum.

He is also remembered by the Moonstones; a statue of him, Watt and Murdoch, by William Bloye, Matthew Boulton College, and Boulton Road, all in Birmingham. There is also a Boulton Road in Smethwick.

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