A photographic and historical view of the city of Derby and its surroundings using contemporary pictures

Mark Miley

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Derby In Pictures

A photographic and historical view of the city of Derby and its surroundings using contemporary pictures

Mark Miley

Shop Front

Derby In Pictures

Blue Plaques

As in all cities across the country Blue Plaques have been installed to commemorate significant people throughout history. Derby has a large number of these and this page will feature as many of these as I can find and a short biography of the person concerned

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John and Thomas Lombe

John and Thomas Lombe are credited with establishing the Silk Mill on the banks of the River Derwent. Today this is recognised as being the world's first fully mechanised factory and a precursor to the Industrial Revolution which began in the Derwent Valley and is now a World Heritage Site

The brothers hailed from a long established Norwich family who were successful farmers as well silk and wool weavers. Thomas,as the eldest, was due to inherit the family business whilst John became an apprentice, displaying a significant degree of aptitude in this

By the early years of the 18th century the popularity of silk meant that demand was far exceeding supply and new processes were desperately needed. In 1704 a gentleman named Thomas Crotchet had established a mill on the banks of the River Derwent, however this was not a success and closed shortly after. The Lombe's, however, had heard that the Italians had developed machines that could spin silk so Thomas sent his brother there to find out how they worked. John gained employment and spent the evening making drawings of the machines which he then brought back to Derby where the brothers had them constructed and installed in their factory, which was finally completed in 1722

In 1718 Thomas had taken out a patent for ‘A new invention of three sorts of engines never before made or used in Great Britaine, one to winde the finest raw silk, another to spin, and the other to twist the finest Italian raw silk into organzine in great perfection, which was never before done in this country.'.

Thomas successfully managed the mill until his death in 1739, however John was not so fortunate and died in mysterious circumstances in December 1722. The story goes that the King of Sardinia heard about the brothers success and 'theft' of the machinery plans and dispatched a female assassin to Derby where she allegedly administered poison to poor John

A more detailed description of the brothers can be found on the website for the Derwent Valley Mills

George Sorocold

George is considered to be one of the first civil engineers and his influence can be seen in towns and cities throughout the country. Born in Derby in 1668 George specialised in hydraulic engineering although his interests were varied. In 1687 he was responsible for rehanging the bells and installing the clock in the tower of All Saints church – now Derby Cathedral.
He is most famous, however, for installing the towns first piped water supply in 1692. This provided water from the river Derwent to houses and businesses throughout the town by means of using a waterwheel to pump the water through 4 miles of pipes made from the hollowed out trunks of elm trees. This system remained in use for over 100 years.
He also designed and built similar systems for Bridgnorth, Bristol, Deal, King's Lynn, Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Great Yarmouth as well as two in London
His Blue Plaque hangs on the Silk Mill as it was him who was responsible for it's construction for the Lombe Brothers. He has earlier designed the mill for Thomas Crotchett which had been unsuccessful as a business venture, however his work for the Lombe's, completed inn 1722, was more successful. Whilst showing visitors around the newly opened, pioneering mill George was involved in an accident which nearly cost him his life. The story goes that he missed his footing on the walkway and fell into the sluice. The force of the water carried him into the wheel between two of the paddles, one of which fortunately gave way, ejecting him into the mill-tail.
George was also known to have worked on improving drainage systems for mines, advising on dock engineering and designing iron forges and atmospheric engines. He was awarded the freedom of Liverpool for his work building the first wet dock there in 1708
George was married to Mary and between them they had 13 children, of which 8 survived. He is thought to have died in 1738


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Joseph Pickford was an architect in the 18th century. Although being born in Warwickshire he lived for most of his adult life in Derby who seem to have claimed him as their own. Following the death of his father he moved to London to train with his uncle Joseph who was a sculptor and stonemason with premises in Hyde Park. In about 1760 he moved to Derby to work at Foremark Hall before setting up his own practice. He seems to be been friends with a great many of the important member of Derby society such as Joseph Wright and John Whitehurst as well as members of the Lunar Society of Birmingham, including Josiah Wedgewood and Mathew BoultonDuring his career he designed the fabulous St Helen’s House in the city as well as his own house on Friargate, now the Pickford’s House Museum. Other works included The stables at Markeaton Hall and also those at Calke AbbeySadly Joseph was to die at the young age of 48, in 1782 and was buried in the nearby St Werburgh’s churchThe blue plaque above can be found on the his house at 41 Friargate, the Pickford's House Museum

Owners of Markeaton Hall

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Found on Full Street

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Found on St Peter's Street

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Found at the Midland Hotel

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Found on the Coop Building on East Street

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Historical information found on St Peter's Street

All of the photographs contained in this website remain the property of Mark Miley and cannot be copied for commercial or promotional uses without prior written permission from Mark Miley.For information about using any of these photographs contact Mark Miley at moc.liamg%40seiknomkcatta  

Created by Mark Miley

All rights Reserved

All of the photographs contained in this website remain the property of Mark Miley and cannot be copied for commercial or promotional uses without prior written permission from Mark Miley.For information about using any of these photographs contact Mark Miley at moc.liamg%40seiknomkcatta  

Created by Mark Miley

All rights Reserved

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