Sir Isaac Holden, 1807-1897

Hide Profile

Sir Isaac Holden was born in Paisley in 1807. He worked in a cotton mill, as a shawl-weaver, and as a teacher before taking the post of book-keeper in Townend Brothers worsted mill in 1830. He stayed with the firm until 1846, becoming works manager and introducing mechanical woolcombing methods. In 1847 he took out a joint patent with Samuel Cunliffe Lister for Improvements in carding preparing combing and spinning wool, and also in making heald and genappe yarns . In 1848 Holden and Lister opened a wool-combing factory at St. Denis, near Paris ; this was soon replaced by factories at Croix and Rheims. About this time the two were involved in work on the square-motion comb, which Lister later patented. In 1858, after a number of disagreements, Lister sold his share of the business to Holden. Leaving the running of the French factories largely to his nephews Jonathan Holden (1828-1906) and Isaac Holden Crothers (1830-1908), in 1864 Holden opened a large new wool-combing plant in Bradford, the Alston Works.

Holden was elected M.P. for Knaresborough 1865-68, for the Northern Division of the West Riding 1882-85, and for Keighley 1885-95. He was created a baronet in 1893, and died in 1897.

From the guide to the Papers of Sir Isaac Holden (1807-1897) and Family, West Riding wool combers, [1840?]-1897, (University of Bradford)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Papers of Sir Isaac Holden (1807-1897) and Family, West Riding wool combers, [1840?]-1897 University of Bradford
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Crothers Isaac Holden person
associatedWith Holden family West Riding wool combers family
associatedWith Holden Isaac Sir person
associatedWith Holden Jonathan person
associatedWith Holden Sarah person
associatedWith Lister Samuel Cunliffe Lord Masham person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Bradford (West Yorkshire, England)
Subject
Woolen and worsted manufacture England West Yorkshire History
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1807

Death 1897

Related Descriptions
Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v84pqj

Ark ID: w6v84pqj

SNAC ID: 68568856