John Tate (papermaker)

John Tate (died 1514) was an English merchant and papermaker, notable for establishing the first known water-powered paper mill in England. He is believed to have been a mercer by trade before venturing into paper production.

Tate's mill, constructed around 1494, was located near Hertford in Hertfordshire. Evidence for its existence comes primarily from paper bearing a watermark believed to be Tate's, as well as entries in the royal household accounts documenting purchases of paper "made in England by John Tate." These purchases were for the royal stationery.

The exact location of the mill is subject to some debate, although it is generally accepted to have been on the River Beane, north of Hertford. While the mill was a pioneering venture, it appears not to have been commercially successful in the long term. Paper continued to be imported from continental Europe for many years afterward.

John Tate died in 1514, and his pioneering paper mill likely ceased operations shortly after. Despite its relatively short lifespan, Tate's mill represents a significant landmark in the history of English papermaking and the development of domestic manufacturing. He is considered a key figure in the introduction of mechanized paper production to England.