Derby

Derby (Saxon name Northworthige), a municipal and parliamentary borough and capital of the county of Derby, upon the Derwent, which is crossed by a bridge of three arches. The town is very ancient, being almost the site of the old Roman settlement of Derventiae or Derventio, which was at Little Chester on the other side of the river. The modern town, situated in a wide fertile valley open to the south, is well and regularly built, and has some fine public buildings, among them the county hall, a school of art and infirmary, and a free library and museum. The three principal churches are All Saints, St. Alkmund, and St. Werburgh, at the last of which Dr. Johnson was married. Derby is a county borough and sends two members to Parliament. The chief industries are silk, cotton, paper, and porcelain manufactures and the preparation of articles in Derbyshire spar. The manufacture of porcelain owed its origin to Mr. Duesbury in 1750, and crown Derby china is well known. John Lombe established the first silk factory in 1714. There is a large carriage factory here, and the Midland Railway has extensive works employing a large number of hands. The town is well served by railways. Richardson the novelist was born here.