George Richardson (1845-1883)
George Richardson (1845-1883) of Platt Brothers
Son of William Richardson
1884 Obituary [1]
GEORGE RICHARDSON was born at Oldham in March 1845, being the elder son of Mr. William Richardson, at that time engaged in the works of Messrs. Hibbert and Platt, and afterwards a partner and director in the subsequent firm of Messrs. Platt Brothers and Co.
After attending a local school he was sent to the Chester College, then under the management of Mr. Arthur Rigg.
Subsequently he spent eighteen months at Zurich, acquiring a thorough knowledge of German and French; and on his return he studied at Owens College, Manchester.
He next received a commercial training in the foreign office of Messrs. Platt's agents in Manchester; and then as an apprentice passed through all the departments of Messrs. Platt's works. Afterwards he was sent out to Rouen and other places in France, in company with Mr. S. R. Platt, to erect machinery made in Oldham.
On the incorporation of the firm of Messrs. Platt Brothers and Co. in 1868, he was made one of the directors, on the recommendation of the late Mr. John Platt, M.P. On occasions of his father's absence, he was the responsible manager of several departments of the works, having the control of large numbers of workmen. With a view of making himself acquainted with all important improvements in mechanical engineering, he visited the principal manufacturing towns in the United Kingdom and on the Continent; and in 1879 paid a visit to America with the same object.
His death took place at Oldham on 10th October 1884, at the age of thirty-nine, from cancer on the left lung, from which and from rheumatic gout he had suffered for some time.
He became a Member of the Institution in 1881.