Person Arkwright; Sir; Richard (1732-1792); knight, inventor and engineer DS/UK/961 Arkwright Richard Sir 1732-1792 knight, inventor and engineer Male Cromford Cromford

Inventor and leading entrepreneur during the early Industrial Revolution. Originally employed as a wigmaker, barber in Bolton Lancashire he invented a permanent dye for perukes. In late 1750s he became interested in inventions particularly carding and spinning of cotton. In 1769 he patented a spinning frame. By 1771 he had with Jedidiah Strutt and Samuel Need developed the worlds first water powered cotton spinning mill at Cromford. Inventor of the spinning frame, later renamed the water frame. Combined water power, machinery, semi-skilled labour and the new raw material cotton to create mass-produced yarn. Creator of the modern factory system, especially in his mill at Cromford. Known as 'the Father of the Industrial Revolution'. KEY EVENTS 1732: Born Preston, Lancashire 1792: Died Rock House, Cromford DS/UK/1171 DS/UK/3819 DS/UK/1986 Yes International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 A7003503 28/03/2015 DERBYSHIRE\a7005277 23/09/2026 54284c0d-2800-4b63-b326-fe8f70cbad3f