Henry Brinton (1796-1857) founded, around 1820, the firm which came to dominate the trade in Kidderminster from the late 19th Century.  His son, John (1827-1914),  was the driving force behind its rise to prominence. He also served as the Towns MP from 1880 to 1886.

 

 

 

Standing alongside John Brinton, Michael Tomkinson (1841-1921), was another major figure in the industry who in 1878 raced across the Atlantic to secure the rights to the Axminster power loom – a transformative innovation. Five times, the Mayor of Kidderminster between 1893 and 1913 he played a major role in the cultural and political life of the town while  he and his business partner, William Adam, revitalised the town’s industry.