Captains of Industry

James Parton (1822 - 1891)

In this volume are presented examples of men who shed lustre upon ordinary pursuits, either by the superior manner in which they exercised them or by the noble use they made of the leisure which success in them usually gives. Such men are the nobility of republics.

Most of these chapters were published originally in "The Ledger" of New York, and a few of them in "The Youths' Companion" of Boston, the largest two circulations in the country. I have occasionally had reason to think that they were of some service to young readers, and I may add that they represent more labor and research than would be naturally supposed from their brevity. Perhaps in this new form they may reach and influence the minds of future leaders in the great and growing realm of business. I should pity any young man who could read the briefest account of what has been done in manufacturing towns by such men as John Smedley and Robert Owen without forming a secret resolve to do something similar if ever he should win the opportunity. (Summary from the Preface)

Genre(s): Biography

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Preface Issa Deas
00:04:11
Play 01 David Maydole, Hammer-Maker Phil Chenevert
00:11:41
Play 02 Icabod Washburn, Wire-Maker Phil Chenevert
00:13:34
Play 03 Elihu Burrit, The Learned Blacksmith William Tomcho
00:13:57
Play 04 Michael Reynolds, Engine Driver Phil Chenevert
00:10:15
Play 05 Major Robert Pike, Farmer Phil Chenevert
00:11:38
Play 06 George Graham, Clock Maker, Buried in Westminster Abbey Garth Burton
00:10:18
Play 07 John Harrison, Exquisite Watch-Maker Availle
00:11:01
Play 08 Peter Faneuil, and The Great Hall He Built William Tomcho
00:20:47
Play 09 Chauncy Jerome, Yankee Clock-Maker Delmar H Dolbier
00:14:40
Play 10 Captain Pierre Laclede Liguest, Pioneer William Tomcho
00:10:23
Play 11 Israel Putnam, Farmer Crln Yldz Ksr
00:11:49
Play 12 George Flower, Pioneer William Tomcho
00:19:45
Play 13 Edward Coles, Noblest of the Pioneers, and His Great Speech William Tomcho
00:12:35
Play 14 Peter H. Burnett, Banker Crln Yldz Ksr
00:11:29
Play 15 Gerrit Smith Delmar H Dolbier
00:11:06
Play 16 Peter Force, Printer William Tomcho
00:12:01
Play 17 John Bromfield, Merchant Crln Yldz Ksr
00:12:06
Play 18 Frederick Tudor, Ice Exporter Phil Chenevert
00:10:36
Play 19 Myron Holley, Market-Gardener William Tomcho
00:09:52
Play 20 The Founders of Lowell William Tomcho
00:14:55
Play 21 Robert Owen, Cotton-Manufacturer William Tomcho
00:12:29
Play 22 John Smedley, Stocking-Manufacturer William Tomcho
00:11:23
Play 23 Richard Cobden, Calico Printer William Tomcho
00:17:19
Play 24 Henry Bessemer Phil Chenevert
00:09:34
Play 25 John Bright, Manufacturer William Tomcho
00:17:59
Play 26 Thomas Edward, Cobbler and Naturalist William Tomcho
00:12:52
Play 27 Robert Dick, Baker and Naturalist William Tomcho
00:11:56
Play 28 John Duncan, Weaver and Botanist William Tomcho
00:10:17
Play 29 James Lackington, Second-Hand Bookseller Phil Chenevert
00:10:52
Play 30 Horace Greeley's Start William Tomcho
00:14:32
Play 31 James Gordon Bennett, and How He Founded His "Herald" Delmar H Dolbier
00:17:28
Play 32 Three John Walters, and Their Newspaper William Tomcho
00:18:49
Play 33 George Hope William Tomcho
00:09:17
Play 34 Sir Henry Cole Julia Kelley
00:11:26
Play 35 Charles Summers Theresa Sheridan
00:11:09
Play 36 William B. Astor, House-Owner Julia Kelley
00:10:36
Play 37 Peter Cooper William Tomcho
00:29:11
Play 38 Paris-Duverney, French Financier William Tomcho
00:14:55
Play 39 Sir Rowland Hill William Tomcho
00:10:21
Play 40 Marie-Antoine Careme, French Cook William Tomcho
00:09:18
Play 41 Wonderful Walker, Parson of All Work William Tomcho
00:11:39
Play 42 Sir Christopher Wren Delmar H Dolbier
00:12:48
Play 43 Sir John Rennie, Engineer Garth Burton
00:10:30
Play 44 Sir Moses Montefiore William Tomcho
00:08:35
Play 45 Marquis of Worcester, Inventor of the Steam Engine Garth Burton
00:10:11
Play 46 An Old Dry-Goods Merchant's Recollections Phil Chenevert
00:12:07