11 Facts About James Muspratt

James Muspratt was a British chemical manufacturer who was the first to make alkali by the Leblanc process on a large scale in the United Kingdom.

James Muspratt was born in Dublin of English parents, the youngest of three children.

James Muspratt left Dublin and in 1812 he went to Spain to take part in the Peninsular War.

James Muspratt followed the British army on foot into the interior, was laid up with fever at Madrid, and, narrowly escaping capture by the French, succeeded in making his way to Lisbon where he joined the navy.

James Muspratt perceived Merseyside as better because of the neighbouring coal fields, the proximity to the salt district of Cheshire, and the proximity to the glassmaking industry.

James Muspratt began to make sodium carbonate alkali by the Leblanc process in 1823.

James Muspratt was repeatedly involved in litigation because of the pollution caused.

In 1851 James Muspratt largely withdrew from the business although he supported his sons, Richard and Frederic in starting new alkali works at Wood End, Widnes and Flint.

However, when the Neapolitan government imposed a prohibitive duty on sulphur, James Muspratt found a substitute in iron pyrites which was introduced as the raw material for the manufacture of sulphuric acid.

James Muspratt built a house, Seaforth Hall on dunes at Seaforth.

James Muspratt died at Seaforth Hall in 1886 and was buried in Walton, Merseyside, parish churchyard.