Josiah Wedgwood

About

Father of the industrialization and manufacturing of pottery, he founded the Wedgwood company and is well remembered for his fight against slavery.

Before Fame

He was afflicted with Smallpox as a child limiting his strength in his leg and ultimately leaving him unable to work the foot pedal of a potter's wheel.

Trivia

He was able to mass produce an anti-slavery medallion featuring the words "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?" underneath the seal for the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

Family Life

His grandchildren were Charles Darwin and Emma Darwin and he had eight children of his own with Sarah Wedgwood, his third cousin.

Associated With

John Flaxman worked as a modeller under him.