Mark Firth
Encyclopedia
Mark Firth was an English
industrialist and philanthropist
.
Born in Sheffield
, Mark joined the crucible steel
works of Sanderson Brothers where his father worked as head smelter, but left in 1842 to set up his own business with his brother, Thomas Jr, in 1842. Their father joined them shortly afterwards, and in 1852 the business had expanded into larger premises at the Norfolk Works in Savile Street, which had the largest rolling mill in Sheffield.
The Firth's business expanded into the armaments market, installing two large steam hammer
s in 1863. In 1871, the company cast the thirty five ton "Woolwich Infant" gun. In 1875 they produced an eighty ton gun.
Mark Firth was elected to the office of Master Cutler
in 1867, which he held for the following two years. He was elected Mayor of Sheffield in 1874. In 1875, he presented a thirty six acre estate to the town of Sheffield as Firth Park. He also built a mansion for himself on the outskirts of Sheffield at Oakbrook, Ranmoor
, now part of Notre Dame High School
. In 1879, he opened Firth College
to teach arts and science subjects, which later became part of the University of Sheffield
. Firth lends his name to the Firth Wing of the Northern General Hospital
, and Firth Court
of the University.
He was a Methodist and a Liberal
.
He is buried in Sheffield General Cemetery
on Cemetery Road, where his monument is Grade II listed.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
industrialist and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
Born in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Mark joined the crucible steel
Crucible steel
Crucible steel describes a number of different techniques for making steel in a crucible. Its manufacture is essentially a refining process which is dependent on preexisting furnace products...
works of Sanderson Brothers where his father worked as head smelter, but left in 1842 to set up his own business with his brother, Thomas Jr, in 1842. Their father joined them shortly afterwards, and in 1852 the business had expanded into larger premises at the Norfolk Works in Savile Street, which had the largest rolling mill in Sheffield.
The Firth's business expanded into the armaments market, installing two large steam hammer
Steam hammer
A steam hammer is a power-driven hammer used to shape forgings. It consists of a hammer-like piston located within a cylinder. The hammer is raised by the pressure of steam injected into the lower part of a cylinder and falls down with a force by removing the steam. Usually, the hammer is made to...
s in 1863. In 1871, the company cast the thirty five ton "Woolwich Infant" gun. In 1875 they produced an eighty ton gun.
Mark Firth was elected to the office of Master Cutler
Master Cutler
The Master Cutler is the head of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire established in 1624. Their role is to act as an ambassador of industry in Sheffield, England. The Master Cutler is elected by the freemen of the company on the first Monday of September of each year and the position taken in the...
in 1867, which he held for the following two years. He was elected Mayor of Sheffield in 1874. In 1875, he presented a thirty six acre estate to the town of Sheffield as Firth Park. He also built a mansion for himself on the outskirts of Sheffield at Oakbrook, Ranmoor
Ranmoor
Ranmoor is a suburb of the City of Sheffield, England. It is an affluent suburb in the Fulwood ward of the city. It mostly developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it features a number of large houses that were built for the city's steel magnates, as well as, most notably, a large...
, now part of Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School (Sheffield)
Notre Dame High School in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, was established in the 1850s by the Sisters of Notre Dame, a religious order.-Admissions:The school has a Catholic ethos and caters for children from all over the city and further afield...
. In 1879, he opened Firth College
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
to teach arts and science subjects, which later became part of the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
. Firth lends his name to the Firth Wing of the Northern General Hospital
Northern General Hospital
The Northern General Hospital is a large teaching hospital in Sheffield, England. It hosts most major departments, including a busy Accident and Emergency for adults...
, and Firth Court
Firth Court
Firth Court is the main administrative centre for the University of Sheffield in Sheffield, England, and also houses the Department for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. It is linked, via the Addison Building to the Alfred Denny Building....
of the University.
He was a Methodist and a Liberal
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
.
He is buried in Sheffield General Cemetery
Sheffield General Cemetery
The General Cemetery is a cemetery in the City of Sheffield, England that opened in 1836, and closed for burial in 1978. It was the principal cemetery in Victorian Sheffield with over 87,000 burials. Today it is a conservation area , and it is listed on the English Heritage National Register of...
on Cemetery Road, where his monument is Grade II listed.