University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

William Richards came from humble beginnings.  His grandfather, a farmer, had emigrated to Berks County, Pennsylvania from North Wales, United Kingdom in 1704.  William was born in Douglassville, Pennsylvania and at the age of fourteen learned iron-making as an apprentice.  He and his family went on to build an ironworks, glassworks, and paper mill empire.  They were involved in building Atlantic City and two railroads.  For many years in the 19th century, the Richards family was among the largest landowners in the eastern United States.  As a descendant of William Richards’ 12th child, Benjamin Wood Richards, I  learned a great deal about my family background from Arthur Pierce’s book, and am proud to return to my roots as a Professor of Management at Penn State Berks.