The Man Of Steel

By Rachel Nash

Samuel Fox

Samuel Fox was a man of many talents. Not only did he discover the Stocksbridge steel works, the 'Paragon' umbrella frame and crinoline wire for dresses but he had the honor of becoming one of the first people to produce cold rolled strip.

Born in 1815 in Bradwell, Derby to William Fox a weavers shuttle maker, Samuel discovered the steel works in 1842 when he moved to the town.

He hoped to set up his own wire drawing business but this eventually developed into the steelworks. He concentrated on building hackle and gill-pins used in wool combing operations. 

Joesph Sheldon, a worker of the Stocksbridge steelworks described in his diaries the man he worked for.

"He was mostly in a serious mood. He always tried and tested his men before he had confidence in them. He said 'Joe I trust thee' and after this I never knew when I [had] done enough for my master'."

Fox was always on the alert to seize any advantage that came his way and so in the same year the industrialist opened the steelworks he discovered 'Fox Umbrella Frames Ltd' an umbrella frame manufacturer.

This ambition began as the businessman became the first inventor of the ‘Paragon’ umbrella frame expressing the well known trademark- a fox. The frames traveled to Manchester to blossom unto umbrellas and his competitors were envious and the development of the product lasted until 1935.

The profits from the umbrella frames enabled Fox to focus on other products such as crinoline wire for dresses which relied on the frame and once these went out of fashion he simply turned his attention to other directions of bright steel rolling and making half inch rods for cables. His profit reached £80,000. 

Maria Fox

Privately, Fox married Maria Radcliffe is only son William Henry Fox was born in 1843. The couple resided in the cottage next to the steelworks and Samuel showed his dedication to his Maria by naming his best engine after her. 

In spite of how busy his company kept him, Fox frequently sent sums of money anonymously to benefit the poor. He also helped his native community by taking Bradwell men to Stocksbridge and finding them a better livelihood.

Fox died on 25^th February 1887 at North Cliffe but his legacy lives on. This year will mark the 124^th anniversary of his death and to honour Samuel, Stocksbridge library are collecting suggestions in a ballot box about a tribute.

Fiona Keale, a librarian said: "He was a great man. We have the old archives here and there is much information about him so everyone can learn about the history of Stocksbridge.

We've had some great suggestions so far and we're hoping to plan a tribute day this summer."