Josiah Marshall Heath | |
---|---|
Born | 8 November 1790 |
Died | 28 January 1851 |
Nationality | English |
Known for | Use of manganese for crucible steel |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Metallurgy |
Institutions | Sheffield |
Josiah Marshall Heath (8 November 1790 – 28 January 1851)[1] was an English metallurgist, businessman and naturalist, who invented the use of manganese to deoxidise steel.[2] In India he learned the local steel-making processes, including wootz, but having failed to found a profitable steel mill there he returned to England and settled in Sheffield. His patent kick-started Sheffield's steel industry, but the poor wording of his patent caused competitors not to pay him royalties,[2] and he died in poverty.