| AdminHistory | Bryant and May was formed in 1843 as a partnership between William Bryant and Francis May, quakers as wholesale provision merchants. They later became the largest match manufacturers in the United Kingdom. The company traded throughout the world.
By the 1880s the company employed over a thousand local girls and young women known as 'matchgirls'. In 1888 female employees striked in the face of low pay, fines, long hours and poor working conditions with severe health issues caused by repeated contact with white phosphorus. Annie Beasant, social activist promoted their campaign. Eventually improvements to working conditions were made by the firm.
The firm was based at Fairfield Works, Bow. The site was occupied by the company between 1861-1979. The Bow factory site buildings were later converted into the Bow Quarter flats complex.
For further details see 'The Match Makers' company history, 1985 by Patrick Beaver, Local History Library reference, LC8229. |