Robert Heath (1816-1893)
1893 Obituary [1]
ROBERT HEATH was born on August 14, 1816, and died on October 7, 1893. He was educated at Dr. Magnus's School at Etruria Hall and entered his professional career, at the early age of fourteen, by assisting his father, who was then the manager of the Clough Hall Collieries and Ironworks, to which appointment he succeeded, on the death of his father, in 1849.
In 1854 Mr. Heath resigned the managership of the Clough Hall Works and joined the late Mr. Stainer in building the Silverdale and Kunthon Forges under the style of Stainer & Heath. Mr. Heath subsequently leased and developed various important coal-mining and other properties, in which he was most successful. Year by year witnessed great extension and development of the various works owned by him, and the enormous concern now owned by Messrs. R. Heath & Sons is the result of his remarkable energy and enterprise.
In 1886 he retired from active business, but his interest in the great firm he had so well established was maintained to the end of his remarkably useful and successful life. He sat as M.P. for Stoke-upon-Trent from 1874 to 1880 and filled various other important public positions. He was an original member of the Iron and Steel Institute, and took a lively and active interest in its establishment and welfare.
He was elected a Member of Council in 1870, and, besides being the author of a paper in 1871 on the iron ores of South Staffordshire, he was a frequent and valued contributor to the discussions.