Thomas Lewis (industrialist)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Lewis was one of the founders of the Dowlais Ironworks
, one of the largest ironworks in Wales
.
, Thomas Lewis became an iron-master. He already owned the Pentyrch
blast furnace
and several small forges when he became a partner in Dowlais Ironworks
in 1759. Lewis was the partner who arranged the mineral leases and construction of the new ironworks: the works were carried out by his business, Thomas Lewis & Co. He headed the business and his family interest was not bought out until 1848.
He was also a partner in the firm of Coles, Lewis & Co which had interests at Melin-y-cwrt and Ynys-y-gerwn.
Lewis's family had lived at Llanishen
for many generations but he was responsible for building the New House there. He was clearly a highly respected individual and served as High Sheriff of Glamorgan
in 1757.
He died in 1764.
Dowlais Ironworks
The Dowlais Ironworks was a major ironworks and steelworks located at Dowlais near Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales. Founded in the 18th century, it operated until the end of the 20th, at one time in the 19th century being the largest steel producer in the UK...
, one of the largest ironworks in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Career
Born into a landed family from LlanishenLlanishen
Llanishen is a district in the north of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Llanishen is well-known as the home of the 'Tax Offices', the tallest buildings in north Cardiff and a landmark for miles around...
, Thomas Lewis became an iron-master. He already owned the Pentyrch
Pentyrch
Pentyrch is a suburban community located on the western outskirts of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The village gives its name to a Cardiff local authority electoral ward, which covers the village and surrounding area.-Geography:...
blast furnace
Blast furnace
A blast furnace is a type of metallurgical furnace used for smelting to produce industrial metals, generally iron.In a blast furnace, fuel and ore and flux are continuously supplied through the top of the furnace, while air is blown into the bottom of the chamber, so that the chemical reactions...
and several small forges when he became a partner in Dowlais Ironworks
Dowlais Ironworks
The Dowlais Ironworks was a major ironworks and steelworks located at Dowlais near Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales. Founded in the 18th century, it operated until the end of the 20th, at one time in the 19th century being the largest steel producer in the UK...
in 1759. Lewis was the partner who arranged the mineral leases and construction of the new ironworks: the works were carried out by his business, Thomas Lewis & Co. He headed the business and his family interest was not bought out until 1848.
He was also a partner in the firm of Coles, Lewis & Co which had interests at Melin-y-cwrt and Ynys-y-gerwn.
Lewis's family had lived at Llanishen
Llanishen
Llanishen is a district in the north of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Llanishen is well-known as the home of the 'Tax Offices', the tallest buildings in north Cardiff and a landmark for miles around...
for many generations but he was responsible for building the New House there. He was clearly a highly respected individual and served as High Sheriff of Glamorgan
High Sheriff of Glamorgan
This page is a list of High Sheriffs of Glamorgan. Sheriffs of Glamorgan served under and were answerable to the independent Lords of Glamorgan until that lordship was merged into the crown. This is in contrast to sheriffs of the English shires who were from the earliest times officers of the crown...
in 1757.
He died in 1764.