Mark Firth

Industrialist and philanthropist, born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, N England, UK. In 1849 with his father and brother he established there the great Norfolk steelworks. He was a munificent benefactor to Sheffield, his gifts including almshouses, a park, and the Firth College (1879), now part of the university.

Mark Firth (25th April 1819 - 28th November 1880) was a British industrialist and philanthropist.

Born in Sheffield, Mark joined the crucible steel works of Sanderson Brother where his father worked as head melter, but left in 1842 to set up his own business with his brother, Thomas Jr, in 1842. Their father joined them shortly afterwards, and in 1852 the business had expanded into larger premises at the Norfolk Works in Savile Street, Sheffield, which had the largest rolling mill in Sheffield.

The Firth's business expanded into the armaments market, installing two large steam hammers in 1863.

Mark Firth was elected to the office of Master Cutler in 1867, which he held for the following two years. In 1875, he presented a thirty six acre estate to the town of Sheffield as Firth Park.