Quick Facts
Biography
Samuel Fox (17 June 1815 – 25 February 1887) was a British industrialist and businessman noted for developing the Paragon umbrella frame, and the founder of a steelworks in Stocksbridge.
Biography
Fox was born in Bradwell, Derbyshire, on 17 June 1815, the son of a shuttle-weaver.
He started work as an apprentice wire drawer in the firm of Samuel Cocker in Hathersage.
He moved to Stocksbridge in 1842 to establish his own wire drawing business. In 1842, Fox married Maria Radcliffe (born 20 January 1820) at Stannington, Sheffield. They had one son, William Henry Fox (1843–1920) who never married.
In 1851 he and his company Fox Umbrella Frames Ltd developed the "Paragon" umbrella frame, a U section of string steel that was far superior to its competitors. Development of the product continued until at least 1935. A similar product was used to make Crinoline frames from 1855. Umbrellas with 'Fox Frames' were sold worldwide.
Fox bought the Bradwell Grove Estate, Holwell, Oxfordshire in 1871.
He died on 25 February 1887 and was buried at his estate North Cliffe, near Market Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire. A magnificent church, funded by the Fox family, was built in Stocksbridge overlooking the steelworks following his death. Saint Matthias church was so named because Samuel Fox died on St. Matthias' Day.