CROSSLEY

Sir Francis , 1 Baronet ( youngest son of John Cro ley of Halifax, carpet manufacturer, who d. 17 Jany. 1837 ). b. Halifax 26 Oct. 1817; carpet manufacturer at Dean Clough mills, Halifax, the largest concern of the kind in the world; M.P. for Halifax 1852–59, for west riding of Yorkshire 1859–65, for north west riding 1865–68, for north division of west riding 1868 to death; mayor of Halifax 1849 and 1850; founded 21 almshouses at Halifax 1855; donor of the People’s park, Halifax at cost of £41,300, opened 14 Aug. 1857, where a statue of him was erected 14 Aug. 1860; created baronet 23 Jany. 1863; author of Canada and United States 1856. d. Belle Vue, Halifax 5 Jany. 1872, personalty sworn under £800,000, 27 May 1872. Thrift by S. Smiles (1875) 205–17; Enoch Mellor’s A true life 1872; Illust. news of the world iii (1859), portrait ; Family Friend 1 March 1870 pp. 39–43, portrait ; I.L.N. lx , 55, 57, 587 (1872), portrait .