William Cockerill
William Cockerill (1759-1832)
1759 Born at Haslingden, Lancashire.
1787 Birth at Haslingden of son Charles James Cockerill
1790 Birth at Haslingden of son John Cockerill
c.1798 Started making carding machinery at Verviers, Belgium.[1]. His sons would eventually expand the business to become John Cockerill and Co.
1832 January 23rd. Died at Chateau de Behrensberg, Near Aix-la-Chapelle, France
One French source[2] 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.