Robert M. Needham
Robert Marsden Needham (1828-1902) was born in Sheffield, the son of George (a brush manufacturer) and Elizabeth. Robert apparently launched his cutlery career in the early 1850s, when he was a partner in Mottram, Hawkins & Needham (see Thomas Mottram & Co). That was dissolved in 1853, though Hawkins & Needham continued to trade at Liver Works, Coalpit Lane. By October 1854, the business was bankrupt, with debts of £2,327 against assets of £2,131. The losses were blamed on the cost of....
