3-021-240 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Mr. Joseph Whitworth of Manchester, founder of the Whitworth Scholarships of Mechanical Science, 1868. Engraving from a photograph by John Watkins, of '...one of the greatest mechanicians of his time, the head of a most extensive manufactory of machines at Manchester, and the author of some of the most valuable inventions now in use...The generality of English artisans...have never been taught to reflect upon the matters and processes of their handicraft, and are commonly quite ignorant of its scientific relations...the modern system of factory organisation tends to convert them into a strictly-drilled army of mere "operatives,"...unmindful of all the other parts of the manufacture...by the admirable munificence of...Joseph Whitworth,...the great sum of £100,000 is bestowed upon the perpetual encouragement of young students of mechanical and engineering science...its ultimate benefits will extend, surely though indirectly, to the entire mass of our working-class population...He proposes hereafter to devote the interest of his gift of £100,000 to the foundation of thirty scholarships of £100 each...The competition will be open to all of her Majesty's [male] subjects'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.