Born in Tarrant Gunville, Dorset, Wedgwood was the son of the Member of Parliament Josiah Wedgwood World War II He became a partner in the Wedgwood firm in 1827 and was left in sole charge after the retirement of his father and elder brother Josiah Wedgwood III.
Francis and Frances had seven children:
Godfrey Wedgwood (1833–1905)
Amy Wedgwood (1835–1910)
Cicely Mary Wedgwood (1837–1917)
Clement Francis Wedgwood (1840–1889)
Laurence Wedgwood (1844–1913)
Constance Rose Wedgwood (1846–1903)
Mabel Frances Wedgwood (born and died 1852)
Economic difficulties in the 1840s led to Etruria Works and Etruria Hall being put up for sale, though only the hall was sold, because he had no inclination to live there, as the location had become compromised, and he built a new house on a small estate at Barlaston, which, if less grand, was in a better situation. Wedgwood retired from the business in 1876 and died at Barlaston, Staffordshire in 1888.
