Richard Foley

Richard Foley was a prominent English ironmaster regarded a pioneer of the Industrial Revolution. With business based in West Bromwich, Foley had at his disposal five furnaces by 1636. During the Civil War he supported forces of King Charles II and cast cannon for his army. Although the royalists lost the war, Foley did not suffer any consequences. He died as a wealthy man in 1657, and left the ironworks to his sons.