John Hardman
Born 1811
Died 29 May 1867
Active: 1838 - 1863
Country of birth and death: England
Art metal worker, director of company
Born in Birmingham, Staffordshire and baptized on 9 August 1811. He was the son of John Hardman Senior (1767-1844), button maker and medallist and became a partner in his father's thriving company.
In 1837 the Hardmans (father and son) met Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. The meeting between between Pugin and the younger John Hardman (1811-67) led to the foundation of John Hardman and Co (1838) which was a separate company specializing in the manufacture of ecclesiastical furnishings.
The firm gradually diversified and was highly successful. Amongst the company's largest projects were the production of all the metalware and stained glass for the Palace of Westminster and a very large display at the Great exhibition in 1851.
John's health declined due to the strain of managing the company; he retired from an active role in 1857 and departed completely in 1863. He died in Clifton, Bristol.
Wealth at death: £35,000 0s. 0d.
Effects under this amount
Probate date: 22 August 1867
Locations
Address St John's Hunter's lane Handsworth England | View on map
1851 (Circa) - 1861 (Circa)
Institutional and Business Connections
Director of John Hardman and Company
1838 - 1857
He retired from active involvement in 1857 and completely left the company in 1863 because of ill-health
Partner in Hardman and Iliffe
1830 (Circa)
Started business John Hardman and Company
1838
Personal and Professional Connections
Aunt/uncle of John Hardman Powell
Aunt/uncle of Henry Powell
Aunt/uncle of Edward Powell
Cousin of William Powell
Daughter/son/child of John Hardman Snr
Friends with Augustus Welby Northmoor Pugin
May 1837 - 1852
Mother/father/parent of John Bernard Hardman
Worked with Augustus Welby Northmoor Pugin
May 1837 - May 1852
Descriptions of Practice
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851
'Goldsmith'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
'Goldsmith'
Sources
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851
2005
Class: HO107; Piece: 2024; Folio: 165; Page: 4; GSU roll: 87430
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
2005
Class: RG9; Piece: 2020; Folio: 28; Page: 4; GSU roll: 542904
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
2010
Name: John Hardman
Probate Date: 22 Aug 1867
Death Date: 29 May 1867
Death Place: Bristol, England
Registry: Principal Registry
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
2004
Ann Eatwell and Ruth Gosling, ‘Hardman family (per. c.1820–1935)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/67862, accessed 11 Jan 2010]
Citing this record
'John Hardman', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=ann_1263254662, accessed 24 Sep 2023]
