Josep Bonaplata i Corriol: Difference between revisions
Peter Brew (talk | contribs) english and link to GEC |
Peter Brew (talk | contribs) Fix translation, remove {{rough translation}}, refer to main article on the factory and fix GEC references. |
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{{rough translation|1=Catalan|date=March 2014}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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|name=Josep Bonaplata |
|name=Josep Bonaplata |
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==Youth and trip to England== |
==Youth and trip to England== |
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Josep Bonaplata worked at the family factory until his father retired and the business was inherited by his older brother, Salvador.<ref name="Nadal6">[[#Nadal|Jordi Nadal]]: p. 6-8</ref> In 1828 Josep and his friend Joan Vilaregut then started a cotton textile factory in [[Sallent]], |
Josep Bonaplata worked at the family factory until his father retired and the business was inherited by his older brother, Salvador.<ref name="Nadal6">[[#Nadal|Jordi Nadal]]: p. 6-8</ref> In 1828 Josep and his friend Joan Vilaregut then started a cotton textile factory in [[Sallent]], using mechanical looms that were hydraulically powered by the [[Llobregat]] River. This was the first time in Spain that mechanical looms had been used. In 1829, in an attempt to modernise his business, he was given permission by the Spanish government to import an English steam engine.{{sfn|GEC}}<ref name="Note1">The news was greeted with strong opposition from the Catalan trade organisation, Junta de Comerç, as it was feared that the project was a cover-up for importing cheaper English textiles. The businessmen would later change their minds after inspecting the new factory site in Barcelona in March 1833. [[#Nadal|Jordi Nadal]]: p. 6-8</ref> |
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Bonaplata travelled to [[ |
Bonaplata travelled to [[Lancashire]] with Joan Rull and a man named Camps to learn about the textile industry and to buy machinery. In London, he received authorisation to import a steam engine from the Spanish ambassador [[Francisco Cea Bermúdez]]. Bonaplata and Rull returned to Catalonia in July 1830, but Camps stayed in [[Manchester]] to continue learning about the machinery.<ref name="Nadal6"/> |
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==Industrial entrepreneur== |
==Industrial entrepreneur== |
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{{Main|Bonaplata Factory}} |
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On 30 September 1831 Bonaplata formed the firm Bonaplata, Rull, Vilaregut and Company with his three brothers, his friend Joan Vilaregut, and his new partner Joan Rull. The company was capitalized |
On 30 September 1831 Bonaplata formed the firm Bonaplata, Rull, Vilaregut and Company with his three brothers, his friend Joan Vilaregut, and his new partner Joan Rull. The company was capitalized at 1.600.000 [[Spanish real|reales]].<ref name="Nadal6"/> The [[Bonaplata Factory]] (also known as ''El Vapor'') had two activities: an [[iron foundry]] with a workshop for making mechanical looms, and a mechanical weaving and spinning factory. This was the first factory in [[Spain]] to use a [[steam engine]] to power machinery.{{sfn|GEC}} Its value and social impact was immediately recognised and it inspired the modernisation of the economy.<ref name="Note2">In 1834 the French geographer [[Alexandre Moreau de Jonnès|Moreau de Jonnès]] praised the factory in the Spanish part of his "''Statistique de l'Agriculture de France''", which compared European economies. This was translated into Spanish by the lawyer and future politician [[Pascual Madoz]] in his "''Estadística de España''" in 1835, who added the comment that El Vapor brought about a "full revolution". In 1846 Madoz again highlighted the importance of the Bonaplata Factory as the dawn of the new industrial age. In 1867 [[Ildefons Cerdà]], the Barcelona urban planner who reshaped the city, talking about his youth, remembered "''El Vapor''" as the turning point between two ages. [[#Nadal|Jordi Nadal]]: p. 7 and 15</ref> |
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However, the factory was attacked and burned on the night of 5 and 6 August 1835 by [[Luddite]] gangs known as Bullangues<ref name="Nadal6"/><ref name="Note3">Years later [[Valentí Esparó]] used the |
However, the factory was attacked and burned on the night of 5 and 6 August 1835 by [[Luddite]] gangs known as Bullangues<ref name="Nadal6"/><ref name="Note3">Years later [[Valentí Esparó]] used the remains of the foundry to build a workshop that would become the basis of a famous factory, [[La Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima|La Maquinista]].</ref> The losses from the disaster were put at 2.696.625 reales. Bonaplata sued the Spanish government for failing to stop the riot. Initially, the government tried to evade responsibility, but then asked the [[Cortes Generales]] (parliament) for permission to pay compensation. On 1 April 1837, Josep Bonaplata appeared before the Cortes and agreed to build a new and bigger steam-powered factory to begin the modernisation of Spanish industry, but the treasury committee decided that he must give up any compensation claims if he wanted state investment for his new venture.<ref name="Nadal9">[[#Nadal|Jordi Nadal]]: p. 9-11</ref> |
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Before the issue was resolved, Bonaplata moved to [[Madrid]] where he formed Bonaplata, Sandford and Company to fulfill his vision. The business was established in the former convent of Santa Barbara, in the [[Hortaleza]] neighbourhood. He was now forty-two, and still single. The business included his second [[iron foundry]] in collaboration with the English engineer named William Sanford.<ref name="Nadal9"/> Bonaplata first began suffering health problems, which could explain why his younger brothers Ramon and Narcís joined him here. In 1839 Sanford gave up his share in teh company and it was renamed Bonaplata and Brothers, though Sanford remained as the princpal engineer. Ramon took over the Madrid business, which was capitalised at 200.000 reales, while Narcís opened a new blast furnace in [[Seville]] capitalised at 90.000 reales. Major decisions for both businesses were still taken by Josep.<ref name="Nadal9"/> |
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Two years later Narcís took full control of the Andalusian factory, leaving Bonaplata y Hermanos in Madrid capitalised at 403,063 reales. Although Josep Bonaplata owned the bigger part of the Santa Barbara concern, the legal documents acknowledged his brother Ramon as its sole administrator, probably because of Josep's poor health, though he retained the right to act on whatever he thought necessary.<ref name="Nadal9"/> |
Two years later Narcís took full control of the Andalusian factory, leaving Bonaplata y Hermanos in Madrid capitalised at 403,063 reales. Although Josep Bonaplata owned the bigger part of the Santa Barbara concern, the legal documents acknowledged his brother Ramon as its sole administrator, probably because of Josep's poor health, though he retained the right to act on whatever he thought necessary.<ref name="Nadal9"/> |
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== |
==Rural businesses== |
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A few months after the destruction of El Vapor, in December 1835, Josep Bonaplata had paid 187,000 reales for the Espinar estate in the Valencian village of [[Llíria]]. Here he built an olive oil mill, and planted many almond trees. He also invested 1,190,000 reales in a project that would link the [[Cinca River (Aragon)|Cinca]] and [[Segre (river)|Segre]] to irrigate the [[Llitera]] area. The plan was promoted by his friend Antoni Gassó, but it came to nothing.<ref name="Nadal9"/> |
A few months after the destruction of El Vapor, in December 1835, Josep Bonaplata had paid 187,000 reales for the Espinar estate in the Valencian village of [[Llíria]]. Here he built an olive oil mill, and planted many almond trees. He also invested 1,190,000 reales in a project that would link the [[Cinca River (Aragon)|Cinca]] and [[Segre (river)|Segre]] to irrigate the [[Llitera]] area. The plan was promoted by his friend Antoni Gassó, but it came to nothing.<ref name="Nadal9"/> |
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==Illness and death== |
==Illness and death== |
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The severe respiratory problems that Bonaplata had been suffering affected his work. Fearing a sudden attack, he made his will in May 1840. Three years later he decided to retire at the Espinar |
The severe respiratory problems that Bonaplata had been suffering affected his work. Fearing a sudden attack, he made his will in May 1840. Three years later he decided to retire at the Espinar estate in Llíria. On 30 May 1843, Bonaplata handed his will to his executor and started out for his Espinar estate, but he suffered a fatal asthma attack on 2 June close to the nearby village of [[Bunyol]]. He was 48.<ref name="Nadal9"/> |
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He died without progeny so the brothers were his successors. It is known that he had had an illegitimate daughter named Sofia, but she died at birth in 1840. It is likely that Josep married the mother of his child, Jesusa Romero.<ref name="Nadal9"/> |
He died without progeny so the brothers were his successors. It is known that he had had an illegitimate daughter named Sofia, but she died at birth in 1840. It is likely that Josep married the mother of his child, Jesusa Romero.<ref name="Nadal9"/> |
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=== Bibliography === |
=== Bibliography === |
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{{refbegin}} |
{{refbegin}} |
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* {{cite |
* {{cite encyclopedia |title=Josep Bonaplata |encyclopedia=Enciclopèdia Catalana |publisher=Enciclopèdia |location=Barcelona |id= |url=https://www.enciclopedia.cat/gran-enciclopedia-catalana/josep-bonaplata |access-date=28 May 2023|ref={{harvid|GEC}}}} |
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* {{cite web |url=http://publicacions.iec.cat/repository/pdf/00000118%5C00000011.pdf |title=Els Bonaplata: Tres generacions d'industrials catalans a l'Espanya del segle XIX |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website= |publisher=Institut d'Estudis Catalans |language= |
* {{cite web |url=http://publicacions.iec.cat/repository/pdf/00000118%5C00000011.pdf |title=Els Bonaplata: Tres generacions d'industrials catalans a l'Espanya del segle XIX |trans-title=The Bonaplatas: Three generations of Catalan industrialists in 19th century Spain|last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website= |publisher=Institut d'Estudis Catalans |language=Catalan |accessdate=12 March 2014 |ref=Nadal|author-link=Jordi_Nadal}} |
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*''Burning Barcelona'' by Roger Williams (Bristol Book Publishing 2008, {{ISBN|9780955537615}}) is an historical novel about the installation of the steam engine by Josep Bonaplata and William Sanford, an engineer from the Boulton & Watt manufactory. |
*''Burning Barcelona'' by Roger Williams (Bristol Book Publishing 2008, {{ISBN|9780955537615}}) is an historical novel about the installation of the steam engine by Josep Bonaplata and William Sanford, an engineer from the Boulton & Watt manufactory. |
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Revision as of 09:41, 28 May 2023
Josep Bonaplata | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1795 |
| Died | 2 June 1843 (aged 47–48) Bunyol, Foia de Bunyol, Valencian Community |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation(s) | Founder of Factory Bonaplata, business executive, engineering |
| Parent(s) | Ramon Bonaplata and Teresa Corriol |
Josep Bonaplata i Corriol (1795 - Bunyol, 2 June 1843) was a Catalan industrial entrepreneur known for introducing the steam engine into Catalonia and Spain. His parents, Ramon Bonaplata and Teresa Corriol, were textile manufacturers, principally of chintz, and he had three brothers, Salvador, Ramon and Narcís.
Youth and trip to England
Josep Bonaplata worked at the family factory until his father retired and the business was inherited by his older brother, Salvador.[1] In 1828 Josep and his friend Joan Vilaregut then started a cotton textile factory in Sallent, using mechanical looms that were hydraulically powered by the Llobregat River. This was the first time in Spain that mechanical looms had been used. In 1829, in an attempt to modernise his business, he was given permission by the Spanish government to import an English steam engine.[2][3]
Bonaplata travelled to Lancashire with Joan Rull and a man named Camps to learn about the textile industry and to buy machinery. In London, he received authorisation to import a steam engine from the Spanish ambassador Francisco Cea Bermúdez. Bonaplata and Rull returned to Catalonia in July 1830, but Camps stayed in Manchester to continue learning about the machinery.[1]
Industrial entrepreneur
On 30 September 1831 Bonaplata formed the firm Bonaplata, Rull, Vilaregut and Company with his three brothers, his friend Joan Vilaregut, and his new partner Joan Rull. The company was capitalized at 1.600.000 reales.[1] The Bonaplata Factory (also known as El Vapor) had two activities: an iron foundry with a workshop for making mechanical looms, and a mechanical weaving and spinning factory. This was the first factory in Spain to use a steam engine to power machinery.[2] Its value and social impact was immediately recognised and it inspired the modernisation of the economy.[4]
However, the factory was attacked and burned on the night of 5 and 6 August 1835 by Luddite gangs known as Bullangues[1][5] The losses from the disaster were put at 2.696.625 reales. Bonaplata sued the Spanish government for failing to stop the riot. Initially, the government tried to evade responsibility, but then asked the Cortes Generales (parliament) for permission to pay compensation. On 1 April 1837, Josep Bonaplata appeared before the Cortes and agreed to build a new and bigger steam-powered factory to begin the modernisation of Spanish industry, but the treasury committee decided that he must give up any compensation claims if he wanted state investment for his new venture.[6]
Before the issue was resolved, Bonaplata moved to Madrid where he formed Bonaplata, Sandford and Company to fulfill his vision. The business was established in the former convent of Santa Barbara, in the Hortaleza neighbourhood. He was now forty-two, and still single. The business included his second iron foundry in collaboration with the English engineer named William Sanford.[6] Bonaplata first began suffering health problems, which could explain why his younger brothers Ramon and Narcís joined him here. In 1839 Sanford gave up his share in teh company and it was renamed Bonaplata and Brothers, though Sanford remained as the princpal engineer. Ramon took over the Madrid business, which was capitalised at 200.000 reales, while Narcís opened a new blast furnace in Seville capitalised at 90.000 reales. Major decisions for both businesses were still taken by Josep.[6]
Two years later Narcís took full control of the Andalusian factory, leaving Bonaplata y Hermanos in Madrid capitalised at 403,063 reales. Although Josep Bonaplata owned the bigger part of the Santa Barbara concern, the legal documents acknowledged his brother Ramon as its sole administrator, probably because of Josep's poor health, though he retained the right to act on whatever he thought necessary.[6]
Rural businesses
A few months after the destruction of El Vapor, in December 1835, Josep Bonaplata had paid 187,000 reales for the Espinar estate in the Valencian village of Llíria. Here he built an olive oil mill, and planted many almond trees. He also invested 1,190,000 reales in a project that would link the Cinca and Segre to irrigate the Llitera area. The plan was promoted by his friend Antoni Gassó, but it came to nothing.[6]
Illness and death
The severe respiratory problems that Bonaplata had been suffering affected his work. Fearing a sudden attack, he made his will in May 1840. Three years later he decided to retire at the Espinar estate in Llíria. On 30 May 1843, Bonaplata handed his will to his executor and started out for his Espinar estate, but he suffered a fatal asthma attack on 2 June close to the nearby village of Bunyol. He was 48.[6]
He died without progeny so the brothers were his successors. It is known that he had had an illegitimate daughter named Sofia, but she died at birth in 1840. It is likely that Josep married the mother of his child, Jesusa Romero.[6]
References
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d Jordi Nadal: p. 6-8
- ^ a b GEC.
- ^ The news was greeted with strong opposition from the Catalan trade organisation, Junta de Comerç, as it was feared that the project was a cover-up for importing cheaper English textiles. The businessmen would later change their minds after inspecting the new factory site in Barcelona in March 1833. Jordi Nadal: p. 6-8
- ^ In 1834 the French geographer Moreau de Jonnès praised the factory in the Spanish part of his "Statistique de l'Agriculture de France", which compared European economies. This was translated into Spanish by the lawyer and future politician Pascual Madoz in his "Estadística de España" in 1835, who added the comment that El Vapor brought about a "full revolution". In 1846 Madoz again highlighted the importance of the Bonaplata Factory as the dawn of the new industrial age. In 1867 Ildefons Cerdà, the Barcelona urban planner who reshaped the city, talking about his youth, remembered "El Vapor" as the turning point between two ages. Jordi Nadal: p. 7 and 15
- ^ Years later Valentí Esparó used the remains of the foundry to build a workshop that would become the basis of a famous factory, La Maquinista.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jordi Nadal: p. 9-11
Bibliography
- "Josep Bonaplata". Enciclopèdia Catalana. Barcelona: Enciclopèdia. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- "Els Bonaplata: Tres generacions d'industrials catalans a l'Espanya del segle XIX" [The Bonaplatas: Three generations of Catalan industrialists in 19th century Spain] (PDF) (in Catalan). Institut d'Estudis Catalans. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- Burning Barcelona by Roger Williams (Bristol Book Publishing 2008, ISBN 9780955537615) is an historical novel about the installation of the steam engine by Josep Bonaplata and William Sanford, an engineer from the Boulton & Watt manufactory.
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