Rev. Joseph "Daddy" Dunn (1746–1827) was an English priest and entrepreneur who was noted for his importing and distribution of gas throughout the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
, mainly the
Preston area. Dunn rapidly changed the whole of
Lancashire
Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly.
The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...
by transporting
coal-gas lighting into the area.
Business career
Through being a
Jesuit
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, caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits
, abbreviation = SJ
, nickname = Jesuits
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, founders ...
priest, he had many contacts all over the country, as well as some abroad, it was through these contacts that he was informed about business people who could give him the methods to import gas to the Preston area.
Improved Lighting
Through chemical experiments, he had formulated a better gas lighting technique, for longer power and brightness and in 1816, he had enough confidence in himself and his idea to start the ''Preston Gaslight Company''.
Business Success
By the mid-1820s, due to his company, Preston became the second town in
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
after
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
to be fully lit by
coal gas
Coal gas is a flammable gaseous fuel made from coal and supplied to the user via a piped distribution system. It is produced when coal is heated strongly in the absence of air. Town gas is a more general term referring to manufactured gaseous ...
. His company offices were situated in
Avenham
Avenham and Frenchwood are the central communities which make up the Town Centre ward of City of Preston, Lancashire, Preston City Council, in Lancashire, England. The name of the ward was chosen by the Boundary Committee for England prior to Pre ...
.
Harris Museum - Info on Joseph Dunn
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunn, Joseph
1827 deaths
1746 births
18th-century English businesspeople
18th-century English Jesuits
19th-century English businesspeople
19th-century English Jesuits
English industrialists
Clergy from Preston, Lancashire
People of the Industrial Revolution
Businesspeople from Preston, Lancashire
Engineers from Preston, Lancashire