BOULTON

boulton, matthew (1728-1809), english manufacturer and engineer, was born on the 3rd of september 1728, at birmingham, where his father, matthew boulton the elder, was a manufacturer of metal articles of various kinds. to this business he succeeded on his father's death in 1759, and in consequence of its growth removed his works in 1762 from snowhill to what was then a tract of barren heath at soho, 2 mi. north of birmingham. here he undertook the manufacture of artistic objects in metal, as well as the reproduction of oil paintings by a mechanical process in which he was associated with francis eginton (1737-1805), who subsequently achieved a reputation as a worker in stained or enamelled glass. about 1767, boulton, who was finding the need of improving the motive power for his machinery, made the acquaintance of james watt, who on his side appreciated the advantages offered by the soho works for the development of his steam-engine. in 1772 watt's partner, dr john roebuck, got into financial difficulties, and boulton, to whom he owed