born April 24, 1743, Marnham, Nottinghamshire, Eng.
died Oct. 30, 1823, Hastings, Sussex
British inventor.
On visiting loom and set up a weaving and spinning factory in Yorkshire. In 1789 he patented a wool-combing machine. In 1809 the House of Commons voted to reward him for the benefits his loom had conferred on the nation. His other inventions included a cordelier (machine for making rope) and a steam engine that used alcohol instead of water.