William Clarke (industrialist)

William Clarke (1831–1890) was an important British industrialist. He is best known as the co-founder of Clarke Chapman in Gateshead, once one of the largest employers on Tyneside.

Educated locally, Clarke undertook his apprenticeship with Longbridge's Iron Works in Bedlington and at Armstrong, Mitchell & Co. in Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1864, he set up a small engineering business on the South Shore in the same area as Hawks and Abbots iron foundries. Within a year, he had taken a partner, Abel Chapman and later the two were joined by Charles Parsons to create Clarke Chapman.[1][2]

The firm relocated to St James' Road and within 20 years, was world-famous.[3]

William Clarke played an active part in the affairs of Gateshead and was a JP and a Council member for some years as well as an organiser for the local Volunteer Corps, treasurer of the Children's Hospital and a supporter of the Northern Counties Institute for the Deaf.[3] Clarke was a staunch Methodist and the first Treasurer of the 'New Durham Road Wesleyan Mission Committee' in 1885.[3] He also introduced a number of reading rooms and science classes for Gateshead people.[3] It was said of William that he seldom 'strayed from the banks of the Tyne'.[3] He died unexpectedly at the age of 59.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Clarke, Chapman & Co Ltd, Gateshead". Tyne Built Ships. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  2. ^ "Clarke Chapman: a brief history". The Pharoah's Tomb. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Gateshead Blue Plaques: William Clarke". Gateshead Council. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2011.

See also


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