Barbican in Plymouth, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

William Cookworthy

Discoverer and Inventor • 1705-1780

Photographed by Josh Pletcher, April 5, 2023

1. William Cookworthy Marker

Inscription. Distinguished apothecary and the first Englishman to discover the ancient Chinese secret of porcelain manufacture. In 1768 he set up the first English manufactory of true porcelain in Plymouth using china clay that he discovered in Cornwall. He lived in a house on this site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1768.

Location. 50° 22.101′ N, 4° 8.288′ W. Marker is in Plymouth, England. It is in Barbican. It is on Notte Street, on the left when traveling east. On right side of facade of Arribas Mexican Restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 58-59 Notte Street, Plymouth, England PL1 2AG, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South West England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker: James Cook (a few steps from this marker); John Collier (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); John Sparke House (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Prince Christian Victor Memorial (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Anchor from H.M.S. Ark Royal (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Twinning of Plymouth and Donostia-San Sebastian (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Pilgrims (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Norrington's Water Fountain (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plymouth.

Also see . . . William Cookworthy (Wikipedia). Overview:

William Cookworthy (12 April 1705 – 17 October 1780) was an English Quaker minister, a successful pharmacist and an innovator in several fields of technology. He was the first person in Britain to discover how to make hard-paste porcelain, like that imported from China. He subsequently discovered china clay in Cornwall. In 1768 he founded a works at Plymouth for the production of Plymouth porcelain; in 1770 he moved the factory to Bristol, to become Bristol porcelain, before selling it to a partner in 1773.

(Submitted on October 23, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2025, by Josh Pletcher of Wellington, Colorado. This page has been viewed 37 times since then and 8 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 22, 2025, by Josh Pletcher of Wellington, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.