Josiah Wedgwood, an English potter, born in Burslem, Staffordshire, July 12, 1730, died at Etruria, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Jan. 3, 1795. He received but little education, and about the age of 10 worked at the wheel in his brother's pottery in Burslem. He established an independent business in 1759, entered upon the manufacture of ornamental pottery, and brought himself into notice by the production of a peculiar cream-colored ware known as "queen's ware." He next opened a warehouse in London, and produced numerous imitations of antique vases, medallions, etc. He made 50 copies of the Portland vase, sold at 50 guineas each, introduced many original and beautiful designs, including several by Flaxman, and experimented with various kinds of clay and coloring substances, raising British pottery to the position of a fine art. As early as 1771 he removed his factories to Etruria, a village erected by himself, where he built a handsome seat. He cultivated natural philosophy with great ability, and contributed papers to the " Transactions " of the royal society, of which he was a fellow. - His life has been written by Eliza Meteyard (2 vols., London, 1865-'6). See also her "Memorials of Wedgwood" (new ed., 1875), and "Wedgwood Handbook" (1875).