James Thomas Ratcliffe
James Thomas Ratcliffe (1853-1935)
1896 of Baumwoll-Manufactur von Ice. K. Poznanski, Lodz, Russian Poland
1935 Obituary [1]
JAMES THOMAS RATCLIFFE devoted practically the whole of his professional career to the development of Messrs. I. K. Poznanski and Company's works at Lodz, Poland.
He was born in Blackburn in 1853 and in 1870 commenced his apprenticeship in Messrs. Yates and Thom's workshops and drawing office at the Canal Foundry, Blackburn.
In 1878 he went to Messrs. Poznanski's works and took charge of the manufacture of mill gearing and of the smaller sizes of engines and pumps for cotton mills, dyeing, printing, and bleaching works. In addition he superintended the erection of a cotton-spinning mill and the associated machinery.
He returned to England in 1880 as senior draughtsman to Messrs. Yates and Thom and remained with the firm until 1885, when he re-entered the service of Messrs. Poznanski. He was shortly afterwards promoted to be manager of the ironworks, and was later appointed technical director.
He was responsible for several inventions relating to cotton-manufacturing machinery, in which his firm specialized.
In 1911 he retired, but retained his seat on the board of directors, and continued to live in Lodz, where his death occurred on 15th January 1935.
He had been a Member of the Institution since 1889.