James Hodson
James Hodson was an entrepreneur who played a significant part in the industrialisation of Belgium. He was born in Nottingham and married a daughter of William Cockerill. He developed a machine-building business and lent capital to other entrepreneurs.[1]
Born in 1773 in Nottingham. Died 10 June 1833 at Verviers, Liège, Belgique, aged 60. Married 26 April 1808 (Tuesday), Verviers, to Nancy Cockerill, born 8 October 1782, Haslingden, Lancashire, died 22 December 1817 in Verviers.[2]
One French source[3] compares the contribution of three British immigrants in the early mechanisation of the textile industry in France, namely William Cockerill, James Hodson, and James Douglas. Douglas enjoyed the protection of senior officials and scientists, and had his machinery and processes widely adopted through official promotion and subsidies. He also tried to obtain a monopoly for the manufacture of textile machinery for wool. As a result, the machines were expensive and perhaps 'not the best vehicle for technical progress'. Douglas began manufacture in 1802-1803. Earlier, in 1799, William Cockerill in Verviers (Belgium) had started to introduce his designs of carding and spinning machines. Later, in 1807, Hodson settled in Liege and provided competition. Cockerill's and Hodson's machines were superior to those of Douglas. Cockerill did not benefit from official support, but his machines were moderately priced and technically superior, and soon eclipsed those of Douglas.