COWPER, EDWARD, was born in 1790. Little or nothing has yet been published concerning the circumstances and events of the early life of this distinguished Inventor and improver of machinery. It is known however that it was chiefly owing to some of his inventions In cylinder-printing that Mr. Applegath was Induced to build the extensive printing-office in Duke-street, adjoining to Stamford-street, London, now occupied by Messrs. Clowes, and he was a partner with Mr. Applegath In that establishment They were also connected in making machines for calico-printing, and in the construction of new machinery for printing the 'limes,' of which, in conjunction with Mr. Applegath, he published a description. In fact, some of the most important improvements in machine-printing were of his invention, such especially as the giving a diagonal action to the rollers on the self-acting inking-tables. In the Great Exhibition of 1851 ho exhiffited a model made by T. B. Winter, a student in King's College, London, of the printing-machine now in general use; and by such machines the catalogues of the Great Exhibition were printed. He had for many years an engagement at the large blacking-factory of Messrs. Day
and Martin, in printing their labels in such a =Inner as to defy imitation. lie also furnished some contributions to the ' Penny Cyclopedia.' Mr. Cowper, during some of the later years of his life, was professor of mechanic, and manufacturing arts at King's College, and it is as a lecturer that be was best known to the public. Ilia process of imparting knowledge consisted not only in giving descriptions and illustrating them by modele,bet in exhibiting the machines themselves, and showing them at work. His manner of lecturing was simple and popular, and he had always a full attendance. Ibis knowledge of machinery, of mechanical construction, and the mechanic arts, embraced the most minute as well as the largest objects. Ile wrote an elaborate article on a ' Button;' and he delivered lectures on the mechanical structure of the Crystal Palace of 1851. He was much respected for his urbanity, and for his readiness in making communications from hie large stores of information to the humblest individuals as well as to persona of higher station lie died at hie residence, Kensington, London, October 17,1352.