1704-c. 1764. British inventor who developed
the flying shuttle, a machine to speed up the
work of hand-loom weaving. In 1733 he
patented his invention but was ruined by the
litigation necessary for its defence. In 1753
his house at Bury was wrecked by a mob, who
feared the use of machinery would cause
unemployment. He is believed to have died in
poverty in France.