English potter.

Wedgwood survived a childhood bout of smallpox to become apprenticed to his father and later to his older brother. The disease affected his right leg which was eventually amputated. Physically infirm, he concentrated on designing rather than making pottery.

In 1754 Wedgwood went into partnership with the famous potter Thomas Whieldon. He experimented with different techniques and persuaded Queen Charlotte to let him call his cream-coloured pottery, which she favoured, Queen's Ware.

In 1771 Wedgwood built a new factory with a new business partner. He named it Etruria after the Italian district in which ancient black porcelain was being excavated. Wedgwood duplicated this porcelain and called it 'black basalt'. It was a major commercial success.

Wedgwood greatly increased output by introducing division of labour. Rather than see a pot through from start to finish, specialist workers were allocated particular parts of the production process.

As a rising industrialist Wedgwood realised the importance of water transport. He invested in the building of the Trent & Mersey Canal which, when completed, brought clay from Cornwall to his Etruria factory.

Wedgwood believed in political and social reform and campaigned for the abolition of the slave trade.