BP94

Collection

Matthew Robinson Boulton was the son of Birmingham industrialist Matthew Boulton, who, in partnership with the inventor James Watt established some of the most successful businesses of the industrial revolution. One was the manufacture of the Watt steam engines. Another was the Soho Manufactory for minting coins and medals. The exclusive licence on the manufacture of the steam engine ceased in 1799, and the two men retired from business in 1800 leaving their respective sons Matthew Robinson Boulton and James Watt junior to run the companies.