Frederick Carder was born in the village of Wordsley, near Stourbridge, in Staffordshire, England on September 18, 1863, to parents Caleb and Ann Carder. Caleb Carder worked as a salesperson for his father, George Carder, at his pottery, Ley's, formed around 1810. Caleb and his brothers Joshua and Henry took over the pottery after George died, though Caleb ran the pottery alone for many years. After Caleb's retirement, Frederick's younger brothers Albert and Arthur took over. Frederick Carder also had an older brother named Will. Frederick Carder married Annie Walker on May 21, 1887, in Dudley, Worcestershire. They had three children: a daughter Gladys, a son Stanley, and a son Cyril. Annie died in May 1943.
Frederick Carder began his glassmaking career with Stevens & Williams in 1881, where he helped re-introduce colored glass. While at Stevens & Williams, Carder worked with Peter Fabergé of Russia. In 1902, Carder was asked to compile a survey of current glassmaking techniques in other countries, including the United States. After 20 years of glass design and glassmaking experience, disagreements developed within Stevens & Williams. As a result, Carder and his family emigrated to the United States.
Steuben (1903–1932)
Frederick Carder and Thomas G. Hawkes' co-founded the Steuben Glass Works in Corning, NY, the home of Corning Glass Company. Carder ran Steuben Glass Works from 1903 until 1932. In 1918, Corning Glass purchased Steuben Glass Works, with Frederick Carder continuing to manage all aspects of the business. 1932, the advent of the Great Depression had a negative impact on business at Steuben. Corning Glass terminated the production of colored glass and took over the direction of the Steuben division, Carder was made artistic director for all Corning divisions. page 71 "History of the Corning Painted Post Area : 200 Years in Painted Post Country" by Thomas P. Dimitroff and Lois S. Janes has the name of Thomas G. Hawkes who was a founder of the Steuben Glass Works with Frederick Carder. Thomas Gibbons Hawkes came from England and was formerly foreman of J. Hoare & Company. Thomas G. Hawkes established the Hawkes Rich Cut Glass Works on March 12, 1882.
After Steuben (1932–1959)
In 1932, Steuben Glass Works reorganized under a new team headed by Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., John Gates, and Sidney Waugh. Using a new glass known as G10M, Steuben crystal products became colorless and clear. While not specifically managing Steuben operations, Frederic Carder continued in Corning by directing all aspects of Corning's design, manufacturing, and marketing of many glass products. During this period, he experimented with glass casting using the cire perdue method used in metal foundries. He made his notes and formulas available to others wishing to cast glass. In 1943, Carder's wife Annie died. In 1959, Carder retired from Corning Glass Works. He died in December 1963, eighty-three days after his 100th birthday. An elementary school located in Corning was given the name Frederick Carder School in his honor. In 2005 Steuben Gallery, in Manhattan, mounted an exhibition of Carder's work that was curated by Donald Albrecht. The exhibition, called Frederick Carder: Glass, Passion, Invention, was designed by Pure+Applied. Photographs of the exhibition .
