Loughborough

Loughborough, a municipal borough, incorporated in 1888, of Leicestershire, 11 miles NNW. of Leicester. The Decorated parish church dates from the 14th century, but has a Perpendicular tower. The grammar-school was founded in 1495, the girls' grammar-school in 1849, and a free library in 1885. Hosiery is the staple manufacture; and bell-founding was introduced in 1840, the great Bell (q.v.) of St Paul's being cast here in 1881. Other industries are dyeing, brick-making, and the manufacture of machinery. There is an active trade in coal. John Howe and Cleveland were natives, and Wedderburn took hence his title Lord Loughborough. Pop. (1851) 10,900; (1891) 18,196. See Dimock-Fletcher's two monographs (1883).