Josiah, the great improver of British pottery, was born at Burslem in 1730. His father was a potter, and, at the early age of eleven, Josiah was set to work at the wheel in his father's pottery. He subsequently began the same business on his own account, and, with characteristic love of improvement, he was the first to adopt a bell for assembling and dismissing the workmen—a circumstance which procured for his manufactory the surname of the "Bell" works. His efforts were directed to the production of a new species of ware superior to that in ordinary use, and he was successful in producing a cream-coloured porcelain, which was called "Queen's ware," from the patronage extended to it by Queen Charlotte. Other improved materials were subsequently invented; and he was equally successful in improving the style and decorations of British pottery. For the tasteless forms which had hitherto characterized British ceramic art, he substituted graceful imitations of the antique; and ornamented his porcelain with the designs of Flaxman, instead of the tasteless decorations which uneducated artists had hitherto employed. His improvements were at once appreciated by the public, and were rewarded by a magnificent fortune. His manufactory had been established at Burslem; but in 1771 he removed to a village in the neighbourhood of his mansion, and which he named Etruria, in compliment to the state which had been most distinguished in the ancient world for the excellence of its pottery. Wedgwood's ingenuity was not confined to his own profession; he cultivated natural philosophy with distinguished ability, and invented a pyrometer for measuring high degrees of heat by an ingenious use of the contraction of clay when exposed to high temperatures. He was also distinguished for his public spirit; he was mainly instrumental in proposing and accomplishing the construction of the Grand Trunk Canal, which joins the Mersey, the Trent, and the Severn. He was a distinguished patron of merit, and distributed his private benevolence with princely liberality. Wedgwood may be considered a national benefactor, as through his labours the productions of the British potteries have become an important article of export, and their manufacture gives employment to a large population. He died in 1795.