The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1599-1684
English ironmaster who was the first to smelt (or fuse) iron ore with coal. Dudley was born the fourth of eleven children to Edward Lord Dudley in the county of Worcester. As a child, Dudley was fascinated with his father's iron-works, where the youngster learned the trade of iron manufacture. Iron smelting had previously been done with the use of charcoal. Dudley began experimenting with what he called pit-coal, and his experiments were heartily endorsed by the English government, which was concerned that the widespread use of charcoal, which is made from wood, was depleting the country's forests. Dudley received a patent for his invention in 1621 and began iron production at his father's ironworks.