Rev. Joseph "Daddy" Dunn (1746–1827) was an English priest and entrepreneur who was noted for his importing and distribution of gas throughout the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and No ...

, mainly the Preston area. Dunn rapidly changed the whole of

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...

by transporting coal-gas lighting into the area.

Business career

Through being a

Jesuit , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders = ...

priest, he had many contacts all over the country, as well as some abroad, it was through these contacts that he was informed about business people who could give him the methods to import gas to the Preston area.

Improved Lighting

Through chemical experiments, he had formulated a better gas lighting technique, for longer power and brightness and in 1816, he had enough confidence in himself and his idea to start the ''Preston Gaslight Company''.

Business Success

By the mid-1820s, due to his company, Preston became the second town in England after

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

to be fully lit by

coal gas Coal gas is a flammable gaseous fuel made from coal and supplied to the user via a piped distribution system. It is produced when coal is heated strongly in the absence of air. Town gas is a more general term referring to manufactured gaseous ...

. His company offices were situated in Avenham.Harris Museum - Info on Joseph Dunn

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunn, Joseph 1827 deaths 1746 births 18th-century English businesspeople 18th-century English Jesuits 19th-century English businesspeople 19th-century English Jesuits English industrialists Clergy from Preston, Lancashire People of the Industrial Revolution Businesspeople from Preston, Lancashire Engineers from Preston, Lancashire