M. J. Blakebrough was born on 23 October 1858 in Brighouse, Yorkshire, England, the son of Mary Isabella (née Crowther) and John Blakebrough. His father was a brassfounder and coppersmith, and M. J. Blakebrough followed in his footsteps, learning the trade from his father at an early age.
In 1881, at the age of 23, M. J. Blakebrough founded his own business, Blakeborough & Sons, in Brighouse. The company initially manufactured brass and gunmetal castings for the textile industry, but soon expanded into the production of valves and other engineering products.
Blakebrough was a prolific inventor and held numerous patents for his designs. One of his most significant inventions was the "Blakeborough Self-Closing Stop Valve", which was used in a wide variety of applications, including steam engines and boilers. He also developed a number of other valves and fittings, as well as steam traps, reducing valves, and other pressure-regulating devices.
In 1892, Blakebrough opened a new factory in Huddersfield, England, to meet the growing demand for his products. The company continued to grow and prosper, and by the early 20th century, it was one of the leading manufacturers of valves and engineering products in the world.
M. J. Blakebrough was a keen sportsman and enjoyed fishing and shooting. He was also a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Civil Engineers.
He died in 1919 at the age of 60.
M. J. Blakebrough was a successful businessman and inventor who made a significant contribution to the development of the valve industry. His company, Blakeborough & Sons, continues to operate today and is a world leader in the manufacture of valves and engineering products.