Keir, James

Sectors:

  • Chemical production Basic chemicals production
  • Chemical production Paint, varnish, mastic, glue, resin, white lead, etc, production
  • Fabricated metal products manufacture Ship metal sheath production
  • Chemical production Soap & detergent production

Notes:

James Keir, 1735-1820, was a chemist and entrepreneur who from c1780s engaged in several business projects, many at Tipton where he traded as James Keir & Co. Particularly concerned with the manufacture of basic chemicals including red lead and soaps and notably experimented in the production of alkali. Invented Keir's Metal which was used, inter alia, unsuccessfully for ship's sheathing. A close associate of Boulton & Watt

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