Clockmakers & Watchmakers of
DERBYSHIRE
by Roy Hughes & Maxwell Craven
The making of domestic clocks started in earnest in the early years of the eighteenth century and Derby and Ashbourne became a centre for clock production. On the eastern side of the county an important group of clockmakers developed, in particular the Woolley and Tantum families made both simple 30-hour clocks and more sophisticated versions. John Whitehurst of Derby had a great influence on clockmaking in the Midlands and he introduced the round dial that became popular throughout the area. This book, the result of many years research, is a comprehensive survey of all the known clockmakers and watchmakers who have worked in Derbyshire, from the earliest recorded workers to recent times. There is background information on clockmaking in the county and the book has numerous illustrations of Derbyshire clocks, watches and barometers.
Contents
Clockmaking in Derbyshire
Derbyshire Clockmakers & Watchmakers
Maps
Appendices:
• Derbyshire Clockmakers & Watchmakers Listed by Town
• Derbyshire Round Dial Cases
• Numbered Whitehurst Clocks
• The Horological Successors of John Whitehurst FRS
The authors
The late Roy Hughes was Deputy Curator at Derby Museum until his retirement in 1982, and he compiled a list of Derbyshire clockmakers, which was continued by his sucessor, Max Craven, who was Keeper of Antiquities 1982-98. Maxwell Craven is active in research and conservation in Derby, and has written a number of books about the city, including John Whitehurst of Derby.