Samuel Gregson (1793–1865) was a nineteenth-century British merchant, politician and philanthropist.
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Biography
Gregson was born 23rd July 1793 as the eldest child of Samuel Gregson (1762–1846), manager of the Lancaster Canal Company, and his wife Bella (1771-1841). He attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School, but left before he was 15, working for a time in Liverpool before moving to India in 1821.
In London he was Chairman of the East India and China Trading Association and a commodities trader.
After establishing a successful trading business, Gregson inherited land in Lancashire and also Manorial Rights and property in Cheshire through marriage. He predominantly, and his family provided the land and financial resources to construct Christ Church, Lancaster.
Gregson was a co-founder of the Natural History Museum.
Political career
Gregson won the Lancaster parliamentary seat in the 1847 general election, but the election was voided the following year following accusations of corruption, leading to a by-election. However, he was re-elected in 1852, 1857 and 1859.
Personal life
Gregson married a distant cousin named Ellen on 2nd March 1826. She died in 1857. They had a daughter named Elizabeth.