The early English cotton industry

A richly detailed study of England’s fledgling cotton trade, this work draws on a trove of original documents to illuminate how a modest industry emerged in the late‑1600s and early‑1700s. By weaving together unpublished letters from the inventive weaver Samuel Crompton with the business records of the early firm M‘Connel & Kennedy, the author reveals the practical challenges and entrepreneurial spirit that drove the sector’s growth. The narrative situates these developments within the bustling commercial landscape of Manchester, showing how local institutions and infrastructure shaped the industry’s early trajectory.

Compiled from years of lecture preparation and exhaustive archival research, the book benefits from the author’s deep familiarity with contemporary economic history. Contributions from diligent librarians and scholars helped uncover material in House of Commons journals, Manchester newspapers, and rare maps of the city’s 18th‑century layout. The result is a vivid, scholarly portrait that brings the origins of English cotton manufacturing to life for modern listeners.