Charles James Webb

Charles James Webb was an Irish linen industrialist active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He played a significant role in developing Ireland’s linen manufacturing sector, particularly in Belfast and the broader Ulster region, at a time when Irish linen was world-renowned for its quality and innovation.

Key facts

• Occupation: Linen manufacturer and industrialist

• Industry base: Belfast and Ulster, Ireland

• Era of prominence: Late 1800s–early 1900s

• Notable for: Leadership in mechanised linen production and export

• Legacy: Contributions to Ireland’s industrial heritage and textile economy

Background and early career

Webb emerged during the height of the Irish linen industry, when Belfast was known as “Linenopolis.” He was part of a generation of entrepreneurs who combined traditional craftsmanship with new industrial methods, helping to modernise spinning and weaving operations. His firm’s production contributed to Belfast’s reputation as a global textile centre.

Industrial and economic impact

Under Webb’s leadership, linen manufacturing expanded with the introduction of mechanised looms and the refinement of bleaching and finishing techniques. These innovations enabled Irish linen to dominate international markets, especially in the United Kingdom and North America. Webb’s business acumen reflected broader industrial growth across Ulster, where textiles were a cornerstone of the local economy.

Legacy

Although the Irish linen industry declined after the mid-20th century, Webb’s influence endures in industrial heritage collections and the surviving mills that showcase Belfast’s former textile power. His work exemplifies the transition of Irish linen from artisanal craft to industrial-scale production, marking a key phase in Ireland’s economic and social transformation.