In "Sir Titus Salt, Baronet, His Life and Its Lessons," Robert Balgarnie provides a comprehensive account of the life and achievements of the notable industrialist and philanthropist, Sir Titus Salt. Balgarnie delves into Salt's rise to prominence as a successful businessman in the textile industry and his subsequent transformation into a compassionate social reformer.

The author skillfully weaves together historical facts and personal anecdotes to paint a vivid picture of Salt's character and contributions to society. Balgarnie highlights Salt's dedication to improving the lives of his workers through the construction of the model village of Saltaire, which provided housing, schools, and recreational facilities for his employees.

As the narrative unfolds, readers are treated to insights into Salt's leadership style, ethical beliefs, and vision for a more equitable society. Balgarnie's prose is engaging and informative, making this biography a compelling read for anyone interested in industrial history, social reform, or the intersection of business and ethics.

Overall, "Sir Titus Salt, Baronet, His Life and Its Lessons" is a thought-provoking account of a remarkable individual who left a lasting impact on his community and beyond. Balgarnie's meticulous research and compelling storytelling make this biography a valuable addition to the literature on philanthropy and social responsibility.

Book Description:
Titus Salt was a British manufacturer, politician and philanthropist, renounde for having built Salt's Mill, a large, innovative textile mill, together with the attached village of Saltaire, where he provided cleaner air, better housing, schooling, banking, churches, recreation, shorter hours and higher wages for over 4000 employees. Salt's tireless work and innovation with alpaca thread lead him to fame and fortune. He was awarded a baronetsy by the British Crown in 1869. It is estimated that over 100,000 people attended his funeral. Salt left no memoirs, but his personal friend, Rev. Balgarnie, pieced together this fascinating biography from interviews, records, news articles and speeches by or about him. One testimonial stated "Titus was perhaps the greatest captain of industry in England not only because he gathered thousands under him but also because, according to the light that was in him, he tried to care for all those thousands." Salt disbursed over £500,000 in philanthropy by the time of his death .

THE GREAT YORKSHIRE LLAMA, by Charles Dickens, the story referred to in Chapter 6 which elaborates how Sir Titus discovered a huge stash of alpaca wool in Liverpool, and developed it into a highly popular fabric, can be found in LV's Short Non-Fiction Collection #82