Mechanical engineer, the founder of the US cotton industry, born in Belper, Derbyshire, C England, UK. Apprenticed to Jedediah Strutt, he gained a detailed knowledge of the most advanced textile machinery and its operation. Britain had made both the export of machinery or data, and the emigration of textile workers, illegal; nevertheless, attracted by bounties offered by the USA, he emigrated under an assumed name in 1789, and was able to build up-to-date spinning machines for a struggling cotton mill in Rhode Island. He became a partner in the firm of Almy, Brown & Slater, whose prosperity laid the foundation for the success of the US cotton textile industry.
Early years
The son of William Slater, a wealthy farmer, Samuel Slater was born near Belper, Derbyshire, England.
After the apprenticeship neared its end (around the time when Slater was 21), he began to recognize that the English textile industry was overextended, but that a fortune was to be had in the newly created United States.
Life in America
In 1789, a Quaker merchant by the name of Moses Brown had decided to start his own textile factory in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and hired his son-in-law, William Almy, and nephew, Smith Brown, to operate the mill. Slater offered his services and helped to build the mill based on the Arkwright designs in his memory.
In 1792, now partners with Almy and Brown, Slater constructed a new mill for the sole purpose of textile manufacture under the name Almy, Brown & This mill, known today as Slater Mill, still stands and operates as a museum dedicated to preserving the history of Samuel Slater and his contribution to American industry.
In 1798 Samuel Slater split from Almy and Brown to build his own larger mill in partnership with his brother John, which he called the White Mill. Slater estimated his wealth at close to one million dollars, and, when he died, he owned all or part of thirteen textile mills.
Slater died on April 21, 1835 in Webster, Massachusetts.
Legacy
The village of Slatersville, Rhode Island is named for Slater.
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