Sir Edward Thomason (c.1769-1849) was a dominant and memorable figure in Birmingham industry.
Born the son of a bucklemaker
Apprenticed in Matthew Boulton's factory.
1793 he set up a shop in the button trade, diversifying and expanding the business into gold, silver and medals.
1806 he entered a hallmark in Birmingham Assay Office as Thomason & Co.
1810 Thomason extended his factory, starting production of close plated knives, forks and spoons.
1817 Thomason entered into an agreement with James Mudie to strike a series of medals recording British victories over Napoleon; the dies were engraved by English and French artists, and the results were published by Mudie in "An Historical and Critical Account of a Grand Series of National Medals" (1820). Thomason subsequently purchased the dies.
1819 He began a series of 48 medals of the Elgin marbles in the British Museum, which was completed by 1823.
1828 His workmen finished a series of 16 medals on scientific subjects
1830 Produced 60 medals on biblical subjects. Developing his usual practice of presenting medals to important figures, he sent examples of the biblical series to all European monarchs, as well as to the president of the United States and the emperor of China.
1832 he was knighted by King William IV, the first Birmingham manufacturer to be so honoured.
1835 Retired; his manufactory in Church Street was acquired by George Richmond Collis and Co
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Silver collection