Charles Baldrey Austin (1787-1840) - early Kensington industrialist. Born in Shropshire, England, he emigrated to the United States in 1818. A highly talented designer of fine cut and engraved glass, he left private practice in New York to join the newly opened Union Glass Worksof Kensington (Beach Street and Montgomery Avenue) in 1827.  He introduced the latest European techniques into their production, and his work is still prized by collectors for its originality and quality.  His former residence forms the oldest section of the Penn Retirement Home, formerly Penn Widow's Asylum.

This biography was compiled by Rich Remer