Samuel Pearson

Samuel Pearson (1814–1884) was an English entrepreneur and founder of Pearson plc, a leading publishing company listed on the London Stock Exchange. His grandson Weetman Pearson was ennobled, making Samuel Pearson the ancestor of Viscount Cowdray.

Career

After working as a labourer, Pearson set up his own brickmaking and contracting business in Bradford in 1844.[1] In 1856, he brought his son, George, into the business and in 1857 the business won an important contract for extension and refurbishment work on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.[2] By 1861 it was employing 9 men and a farmer.[3] He retired in 1879 and died in Scholes in 1884.[4]

References

1. "Our History". Pearson.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
2. Garner, p. 38
3. 1861 census
4. "Samuel Pearson". Grace's Guide. Retrieved 26 March 2016.

Sources

• Garner, Paul (2011). British Lions and Mexican Eagles: Business, Politics and Empire in the Career of Weetman Pearson in Mexico, 1889-1919. Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0804774451.