William George Armstrong founded the Elswick works in 1847 to produce hydraulic machinery, cranes and bridges, followed by artillery. When Armstrong entered government service as engineer of rifled ordnance, his company was already a major supplier to the British state. To avoid a direct conflict of interest, he relinquished his financial stake in the armaments concern until leaving public service in 1864. The episode offers an early example of institutional separation between defence procurement authority and private commercial gain.
Chapter · 18:10-19:24
Armstrong's origins and an early conflict-of-interest safeguard
William George Armstrong separated his armaments business from his other interests while serving as the War Office's engineer of rifled ordnance.