In 1815 John Doulton (together with his partners Martha Jones, and John Watts) bought a small Vauxhall, London, pottery for 100 pounds. The pottery produced at that time storage jars and ceramic sewage pipes. Martha Jones left the business in 1920. Six years later they moved to larger pottery on Lambeth High Street. In 1835 the pottery joined John’s son Henry.
John Watts retired in 1853. From 1853 to 1901, its wares were marked Doulton & Co.
In 1861 Queen Victoria commissioned Doulton to create a specially made set of water filters for all her castles and palaces. Starting in the 1860s, the company put stress on getting a reputation for design. In the early 1870s, Henry Doulton started a studio in Lambeth, which employed local artists and designers.
In 1877 Henry Doulton bought a share in a factory in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. With the Burslem business, they entered the bone china tableware business. 10 years later he became the first potter in history to be awarded the knighthood.
Sir Henry Doulton retired in 1897. The company went public at the start of 1899. In 1901 the company received permission to use the word "Royal" in its name.
The Lambeth factory closed in 1956. In 1969 Doulton bought Beswick Pottery. 1972 Doulton was taken over by Pearson and Son Ltd.
