The natural historian Samuel Gibson was born in Sowerby Bridge, the son of Mr Gibson, whitesmith.
He was apprenticed to his father and proved to be an ingenious mechanic, and an expert turner.
He worked as a spindle and flyer-maker at Hebden Bridge.
In 1820, he opened his own whitesmith's shop.
In 1818, he began to study botany in his spare time. He wrote articles for The Phytologist and other publications,
He had a herbarium with an almost complete collection of the flowering plants and ferns of Great Britain, mosses, lichens, and algae, and about 1000 specimens of British and other seeds and seed vessels, and about 140 specimens of British woods and plants, prepared and mounted for the microscope. He was a member of the Manchester Botanists Society.
He was an acquaintance of Dr Robert Howard.
In 1826, he commenced the study of entomology, and assembled a valuable collection of British insects.
In conchology, he made extensive collections of British and foreign marine, fresh-water, and land shells.
In geology, he assembled a collection of the fossil shells from mountain limestone, shale and coal measures, which was considered unique.
He married Ann.
Child: Thomas
He fell from a building and his injuries resulted in a long period of ill-health. He had to retire from his whitesmith business and took over Royal Oak, Mytholmroyd. He established a museum at the inn.
In 1847, having fallen on hard times with the museum, he sold much of his collections to support himself, his wife and his children.
He died at Mytholmroyd [21st May 1849].
He was buried at Butts Green Baptist Chapel, Warley
This & associated entries use material contributed by Heather Morris
Page Ref: X2052
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