The best known Wright of Derby is Joseph Wright the painter, but contemporary with him were four Wright brothers, unrelated to the artist, who came to Derby in the 1760s from Sutton in Ashfield and made a significant contribution to the town. They were silk framework knitters who expanded their business into wholesale hosiery, mill ownership and international trade with offices and warehouses in the City of London. A century later the family was trading internationally, particularly with Imperial Russia, and owned silk mills in Derby and cotton mills in St Petersburg. One married a Russian aristocrat.
They were Non-Conformists and significant supporters of the Friar Gate Unitarian Chapel. They strengthened their business relationships through intermarriage with the Baker, Bennett, Pratt and Boott families, all from Derby, and through cousin marriages.
They were also innovators in the iron industry in Derby, being joint founders and later sole owners of the Britannia Foundry which was bought and expanded by Andrew Handyside who met the Wrights in St Petersburg.
By the end of the nineteenth century the Derby silk industry was on the wane, many descendants had joined the Anglican church, and some had emigrated, becoming sailors in Tasmania and farmers in Australia. One founded an important publishing house in Bristol. At the peak of their time in Derby they employed hundreds, contributed to civic life, donated to important charitable causes, and lived in many of the magnificent eighteenth century houses on Friar Gate.
Colour and b/w illustrations
Pages: 84
ISBN 978-1-913253-25-7
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