Abraham Darby 1V

The son of Abraham Darby 111 took over control of the Coalbrookdale works in 1810. He was joined in 1820 and 1830 by the grandsons of Samuel Darby, brother of Abraham Darby 111.

It was under Francis Darby that parts cast at the works helped to power ships across the oceans. Further bridges and steam engines were built.

The two Darby grandsons, Abraham 1V and Alfred, initially took over the management of the Horsehay side of the business. They made radical changes to the whole operation after 1830. Bricks had been made since the mid 18th century and this side of the business was greatly extended. They built brick kilns on various sites and made ceramic products.

The Great Exhibition

By 1851 they had purchased many iron works around the country. Despite being the largest company of its type in Britain they did not display the same innovation as their predecessors. But the quality of their castings was of a very high standard.

It was The Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851, which brought more fame to the Darbys. The building of the Iron Bridge had done so several decades earlier.

Many exhibits were cast at the works including a range of 60 feet wide ornamental gates. There was a cast iron dome 30 feet high supported on six pillars covering a figure of an Eagle-Slayer. There was also an ornamental fountain (The Boy and the Swan) and a statue of Andromeda. The latter was compared to the works of the great Renaissance silversmith Benvenuto Cellini. The statue of Andromeda was one of the huge successes of the exhibition. It was purchased by Queen Victoria for £300.

In 1852 the Commissioners of the exhibition invited Abraham Darby 1V to re-erect the ornamental gates at Kensington Gardens. They can still be seen there today.

The Aristocracy

Whilst supplying households with the necessities of everyday life, the Coalbrookdale work's products graced the mansions of the aristocracy also.

The works also sent exhibits to the 1862 exhibition. A larger-than-life casting of Oliver Cromwell was greatly admired. It was based on a design by John Bell.

Francis Darby had been instrumental in the manufacturing of ornate castings and ceramics. These were also exhibited at the two exhibitions. He died in 1850 and did not share in the new found fame.

End of an Era

During the mid 19th century the company began to wind down its operations in other areas. The day to day running of the Coalbrookdale works was left in the hands of managers.

In 1886 Abraham Darby 1V moved to Slough and Alfred Darby to Bridgnorth.

Alfred Darby 11 became chairman of the new limited company until his retirement in 1925. It brought to an end the Darby dynasty.