medal

Medal owned by Sir William Mather Esq, of Mather & Platt. Inscription on the reverse of the medal reads: 'Awarded to Mather & Platt Ltd for water softening apparatus Manchester 1902". It depicts Hygieia the Greek and Roman goddess of health, cleanliness and hygiene.

This medal was awarded to Mather & Platt by the Sanitary Institute, now known as the Royal Society for Public Health. In 19th century Manchester sanitation and hygiene were of great concern due to the boom in industry and population. Reformers and campaigners pushed for legislation and solutions to inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure. This medal awarded to Mather & Platt in 1902 recognition of their contribution to the advancement of public health and sanitation provision.

William Mather (1838 – 1920) born in Manchester, was a successful businessman and politician. He had an extensive and formative education both in Manchester and Germany. This set him up to join the family engineering business. His education was practical as well as academic. Time spent as an apprentice gave him a lifelong appreciation for workers' rights and conditions. He pioneered the eight-hour working day and promoted technical education. He also became a member of Parliament for the Liberal Party. First elected in 1885, for the southern division of Salford, he later represented Gorton, then Rossendale.

William Mather joined the engineering firm Mather & Platt at a young age. The firm was established in 1852 when Colin Mather, William’s uncle, and William’s father, also called William, entered into a partnership with William Wilkinson Platt based at the Salford Iron Works. William Mather became Assistant Manager in 1858, was made partner in 1862 and took over running of the business in 1868. When, in 1892, Mather & Platt became a limited company William Mather was appointed as Chairman.

William Mather was knighted in 1902 and retired in 1916. He died at his home in the New Forest in 1920.