From a farming background in Cumbria, John Wilkinson's remarkable abilities and ambitions ensured his rise to pre-eminence among the gifted pioneers of the industrial revolution. His colleagues and friends were similarly talented characters, including James Watt, Josiah Wedgwood, Richard Crawshay of Cyfarthfa and Thomas Telford. Wilkinson achieved great leaps in the iron industry and munitions, including the first use of sound castings and accurate boring for cannon manufacture, as well as developing steam railway engines, waterways, and also in copper refining and lead and chemicals. But while Wilkinson's technological triumphs were admired by contemporaries, his personal affairs were complicated and sometimes tragic. This well-informed and readable book gives a unique insight into the character and thinking of this formidable 'king of the ironmasters'..

Frank Dawson went to live in the Wilkinson family home as a teacher in 1978, intent on running residential field studies from the property but knowing little of Wilkinson's history at the time. Fascination ensued and he began documentary research and to give lectures on the subject. He spent many years gathering the information in this book.

David Lake is a member of the Broseley History Society who has undertaken to finish and publish Frank's work after his death.