Historedia
Person

James Watt

Events
4
Episodes
10
Years
1765–1791

Every event in Historedia whose sources name James Watt, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. James Watt's Patent for the Separate Condenser

    1765–1769

    Role: Scottish inventor who devised the separate condenser and obtained the patent

    1. 1765 · Watt's workplace context at the University of Glasgow (1763); conception site unspecifiedConception of the Separate Condenser

      Watt conceived the separate condenser in 1765 after repairing a model Newcomen engine at Glasgow, addressing its heat waste.

    2. 5 January 1769 · British patent processPatent Specification Accepted

      The specification of Patent No. 913 for the separate condenser was accepted on 5 January 1769.

    3. 29 April 1769 · British patent processPatent Enrolled

      The patent specification was enrolled on 29 April 1769, completing the patenting of the separate condenser.

  2. James Watt's inspiration for the steam engine

    1765

    Role: Scottish inventor and engineer

    1. May 1765 · Glasgow GreenGlasgow Green Inspiration

      Watt conceived the separate condenser idea while walking in Glasgow Green in May 1765.

  3. Service of the Smethwick Engine

    1779

    Role: Scottish engineer and partner in Boulton and Watt

    1. May 1779 · Smethwick, near Birmingham, EnglandSmethwick Engine brought into service

      Boulton and Watt's Smethwick Engine, a Watt steam engine manufactured in 1779, was brought into service in May 1779 near Birmingham.

  4. Priestley Riots in Birmingham

    1787–1791

    Role: Industrialist who commented on the riots' divisive effect on Birmingham

    1. 1787–1790 · BirminghamDissenter agitation for repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts

      Birmingham Dissenters' campaigns to repeal the Test and Corporation Acts, failing in 1787, 1789, and 1790, fractured the town elite before the riots.

    2. Summer 1791 · BirminghamPlanned Warwickshire Constitutional Society

      In summer 1791, Priestley and friends planned a radical Warwickshire Constitutional Society seeking electoral reform, matching societies in Chester and Manchester.

    3. 14 July 1791 · Royal Hotel, BirminghamAttack on the Royal Hotel banquet

      The riots began with an attack on the Royal Hotel, site of a banquet publicising diners' support for the French Revolutionaries to enhance Anglo-French trade.

    4. 14–17 July 1791 · Birmingham, Warwickshire, EnglandThree days of rioting against Dissenters

      From 14 to 17 July 1791, rioters targeted Birmingham's religious dissenters, most notably Joseph Priestley, amid local and national grievances.

    5. 14–17 July 1791 · BirminghamGovernment response to Dissenters' pleas

      The riots were not initiated by Prime Minister William Pitt's administration, but the national government has been suggested to have been slow to respond to Dissenters' pleas for help.

Sources

  1. James Watt Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-22
  2. Watt steam engine Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-20
  3. Boulton and Watt Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-25
  4. Priestley Riots Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-14