3-065-577 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Sir Joseph Cowen M.P., 1874. Engraving from a photograph by Messrs. W. and. D. Downey. 'As a boy, Joseph Cowen was brought up to his father's trade, that of a working chain-maker in the factory of Sir Ambrose Crowley and Co., at Winlaton and Swalwell, on the Tyne...After working with his father till 1823 or 1824, Joseph Cowen went to join his brother-in-law, Mr. Anthony Forster, in the business of firebrick making...at the time of his death Sir Joseph was at the head of one of the largest firebrick and gas retort works in the kingdom, besides being concerned in coal-mining and other extensive industrial enterprises. Sir Joseph Cowen was an active liberal politician, and was elected M.P. for Newcastle...He also performed great public services as chairman of the River Tyne Improvement Commissioners, who have completed a series of the most extensive river works in the kingdom...The Government, in acknowledgment of Sir Joseph Cowen's twenty years' gratuitous services to the trade of the country as chairman of the River Tyne Commissioners, conferred the honour of knighthood upon him in November, 1871'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.