William Henry Goss

Born in London to Richard Goss and Sophia Mann, William was a student at the School of Design at Somerset House in London, from where in 1857 he was employed as chief artist of the Stoke upon Trent firm of William Taylor Copeland, who had bought the business interests of his partner Josiah Spode II.

[1] It was not until the 1880s, under the influence of his sons Adolphus, Godfrey, Victor and Huntley, were the famous small white-glazed vases and pots with heraldic arms for presentations being produced.

In the late 1960s, Gossware became very collectable and in 1970 a modern Goss Collectors club was founded.

Nearly all pieces of Gossware can be identified by a goshawk crest on the base with W. H. Goss printed underneath.

His wife was Georgiana Goldswain whom he married in 1854 and they produced seven children, his son Adolphus later joining the business.