Wedgwood, Josiah, << joh SY uh >> (1730-1795), was the outstanding leader in the pottery industry during the greatest period of British pottery making. He became a master potter at 29, and was successful in his own business. Three years later, in partnership with Thomas Bentley, a London merchant, he started the Etruria factory at Hanley. There he perfected the clays, glazes, and processes that made Wedgwood ware famous (see Wedgwood ware ). Wedgwood improved the known processes of his time, and invented and perfected new ones. Wedgwood was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, a district rich in pottery clays. He died on Jan. 3, 1795.
