Men of Invention and Industry

Samuel Smiles was a 19th century Scottish author and reformer. In 1838 he became the editor for the Leeds Times and in 1840 he became secretary to the Leeds Parliamentary Reform Association. Smiles advocated causes ranging from women's suffrage, free trade, and parliamentary reform. Today Smiles is known as the writer of books on self-help, and biographies about the achievements of heroic engineers. The Table of Contents includes, Phineas Pett: beginnings of English shipbuilding -- Francis Pettit Smith, practical introducer of the screw propeller -- John Harrison, inventor of the marine chronometer -- John Lombe, introducer of the silk industry into England -- William Murdock, his life and inventions -- Frederick Koenig, inventor of the steam-printing machine -- The Walters of the "Times": invention of the Walter press -- William Clowes: book-printing by steam -- Charles Bianconi: a lesson of self-help in Ireland -- Industry in Ireland : through Connaught and Ulster to Belfast -- Ship-building in Belfast / by E. J. Harland, engineer and shipbuilder -- Astronomers and students in humble life : a new chapter in the "Pursuit of knowledge under difficulties".