Samuel Pearson

Founder of Pearson plc

Samuel Pearson (1814–1884) was an English entrepreneur and founder of Pearson plc, a leading education (originally construction) company listed on the London Stock Exchange.

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. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
2. Garner 2011, 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.